Egyptian President Responds to Smotrich, Denies Hidden Agendas
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi denied any territorial ambitions toward Israel in response to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's comments about Sinai. Sisi stated Egypt's priority is its own security and stability, not expansion. Smotrich had suggested Egypt could lose Sinai if it attacked Israel, referencing Egypt's view of the 1973 war as a success for regaining the peninsula.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi denied having territorial ambitions toward Israel.
- Sisi's remarks were a response to comments made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
- Smotrich suggested Egypt could lose Sinai if it attacked Israel.
- Sisi stated Egypt's primary goal is its own security and stability.
- The Egyptian president affirmed the peace treaty with Israel remains the binding framework for relations.
- Egypt views the 1973 war as a success for regaining the Sinai Peninsula.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has responded to controversy surrounding remarks made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich concerning the Sinai Peninsula and potential military action by Egypt. Sisi clarified that Cairo harbors no territorial ambitions toward Israel.
Speaking at the 44th Educational Conference of the Egyptian Armed Forces, commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the October 1973 War, Sisi stated that Egypt fought to defend its land and reclaim all its territory. He questioned whether any Israeli elements hold "baseless perceptions or concerns" that Cairo has territorial aspirations toward Israel.
Sisi emphasized that Egypt's "first and last goal is to maintain its security and stability and protect the resources and interests of its people." He stressed that Egypt has "no hidden agendas" and prioritizes maintaining its borders and national security. The Egyptian president also affirmed that the peace treaty with Israel remains the binding framework for bilateral relations, asserting that "Egypt has no aspirations toward anyone."
These remarks follow a significant backlash in Egypt triggered by Smotrich's comments. In a video interview with the Haredi website "Hashtibelach," the Finance Minister discussed future threats to Israel, suggesting that Egypt would be deterred from attacking Israel by the understanding that such an action could lead to the loss of Sinai. Smotrich argued that an aggressor nation should be aware of the potential for territorial loss and not automatically expect a return to pre-conflict lines.
Smotrich had previously stated that Egypt regained Sinai through a combination of military force and prolonged political and diplomatic efforts. Despite their military defeat in the Yom Kippur War, Egypt considers the conflict a success due to the recovery of the Sinai Peninsula.
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