Egyptian source: Natural gas deal with Israel is a positive development in relations between the countries
In Egypt, efforts are being made to separate the gas deal with Israel from its political dimension, but an Egyptian source close to the government in Cairo told Kan News that it is a positive development “that could significantly reduce tensions in relations between the two countries.” This was reported this morning (Friday) on the program “This Morning” on Kan Reshet Bet radio.
Yesterday, Egypt’s head of the State Information Service issued a statement that constituted Egypt’s first official response to the deal announced the day before by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement said the agreement is purely an economic deal between private companies and has no political aspect whatsoever. It further emphasized that Egypt’s position on the Palestinian issue remains unchanged.
In Cairo, officials sought to show that no political concessions were made behind the scenes in order to reach the deal with Israel, which the countries concluded following pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Egyptian source close to the government reiterated to Kan News that Cairo’s position is that no political concessions were made behind the scenes to approve the deal.
“The gas issue is a separate matter,” the source said, but at the same time added that it is a positive development for relations between the countries. In his view, the gas deal is a continuation of the peace agreement, which Egypt continues to uphold.
According to the source, the possibility cannot be ruled out that a trilateral meeting will take place at the end of the month between Trump, Netanyahu, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
“What’s important is that peace between the countries continues,” he explained, adding that he believes the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt should be upgraded and Egypt’s military presence in the Sinai Peninsula strengthened.
This, he said, would make it possible to prevent Hamas from rearming. “There are gaps in the current agreement,” he said.
Roi Kais is an Arab Affairs correspondent for Kan 11.
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