Israeli Finance Minister's Sinai Threat Sparks Outrage in Egypt

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in an interview that if Egypt were to attack Israel, "there would be no Sinai." Smotrich made these remarks, which were delivered from his home to the Haredi platform "HaShtiblach," on the day Israel marked the anniversary of the October 7th attacks. He also advocated for increased Israeli settlement in Gaza and Lebanon, arguing that "where there is no settlement, there is no army and no security." He asserted that conquering Gaza is necessary and that Israel should not fear it, calling it "the Land of Israel."

Smotrich's comments immediately generated significant backlash in Egypt. Al-Qahera Al-Akhbariya channel quoted an Egyptian source described as "in the know," who stated that "Egypt is capable of defending its territory and preserving its independence against any threat." This source further characterized Smotrich's statements as a "blatant attempt to use empty and escalating rhetoric to achieve election-related goals," adding that Egypt "will not accept its name being dragged into political populism" and would not accept the displacement of Palestinians.

Al-Arabiya channel in Saudi Arabia also reported on Smotrich's remarks, suggesting they were an attempt to use the "Egyptian issue as election propaganda." Military and strategic experts interviewed by Al-Arabiya criticized Smotrich, calling his words a reflection of "political immaturity." They noted that Egypt was commemorating its "victory in the Yom Kippur War" on the same day. The experts emphasized that Egyptian sovereignty over Sinai is a non-negotiable red line and warned that Egyptian forces are capable of defending their territory, cautioning that rhetoric threatening regional stability undermines the peace agreement.

One expert, Mohamed Al-Dessouki, demanded a clear and unequivocal stance from the Israeli government, stating that while Egypt is committed to peace, it prioritizes defending its territory and borders. He stressed the need to take threats from senior government officials seriously and called for Israel to clarify its position. Another expert, Ayman Abdel Mohsen, warned that such "extreme rhetoric and recklessness will not threaten Sinai, but will endanger Israel's very existence."

Other Arab media outlets, including Al-Quds Al-Arabi and Al-Akhbar in Lebanon, echoed these sentiments, with some Egyptian sources quoted by Al-Quds Al-Arabi responding that in the event of a conflict, "there would be no Israel."