Sisi to Netanyahu: I support UAE deal, refrain from West Bank annexation
Netanyahu’s office reported that the Prime Minister thanked Sisi for his help in promoting stability in the region, particularly in Gaza.
By TOVAH LAZAROFFEgyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (right) speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting ahead of the UN General Assembly last September (2017).(photo credit: REUTERS)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi threw his support behind the burgeoning Israeli normalization deal with the United Arab Emirates and spoke against any efforts to annex portions of the West Bank, during a phone call Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“The President affirmed Egypt’s support for any steps that would bring peace to the region,” Sisi’s office said.The telephone conversation came in the aftermath of a joint trip by Israeli and United States delegations to the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday, and in the aftermath of an understanding between Hamas and the IDF to restore calm at Israel’s southern border.Sisi underscored, however, that he remained committed to the Palestinians and that any deal must preserve their legitimate rights. Any agreement should therefore allow for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.“The President affirmed Egypt’s support for any steps that would bring peace in the region in a way that preserves the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, allows the establishment of their independent state and provides security for Israel,” Sisi’s office said.Sisi told Netanyahu it was important that Israel refrain from any unilateral measure that would undermine the chances for peace, especially any action with regard to annexing Palestinian lands.“The President also stressed that Israel must not take any unilateral measures that would undermine chances for peace and must refrain from the annexation annexation of Palestinian territories,” Sisi’s office said.Peace initiatives such as the Israel-UAE deal could break the current freeze with respect to resolving the conflict with the Palestinians, Sisi told Netanyahu.“Concerted efforts between the various regional and International parties would be to break the current stalemate int he Palestinian cause and reassume the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides in order to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause on the basis of a two-state solution in accordance with international references and to achieve security, peace and prosperity for the people in the region,” Sisi’s office said.The telephone conversation also touched on Gaza. Egypt has long been a broker between Israel and Hamas to keep a lid on tension along that border.
Sisi “stressed the importance of adhering to the truce between the Palestinian and Israeli sides regarding [the] Gaza Strip in light of Egypt’s continuous efforts to hep reduce tensions between the two sides.”Netanyahu’s office said the Prime Minister had “thanked President El-Sisi for Egypt's support in advancing stability in the region, especially in Gaza, and asked that he continue assisting in the return of our prisoners and our missing [soldiers].”“The leaders discussed regional challenges and the strengthening of relations and cooperation in a range of areas. They welcomed the development of relations with the United Arab Emirates,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.Egypt and Israel signed a peace agreement in 1979 and Egypt in the past has played an important role in peace making initiatives that involve Israel.
