Israel-Egypt relations at the center of the Bennett-Sisi meeting

“What we wanted and want constantly, not just from the Arab states, but in general, is that the Palestinian issue will not get caught in the middle of bilateral issues. Okay, we are Israel, we have a conflict, but this is not the core of relationships, ”the source said.

However, sources close to the prime minister said the meeting focused mainly on cooperation between Egypt and Israel on security, geopolitical and economic issues, not the Palestinians.

Sisi and Bennett met individually for nearly three hours, running away from their top advisers more than once as they entered to hold a larger meeting.

Bennett said after the meeting that “we have created a basis for deep ties in the future,” and the senior diplomatic source said the bond formed between leaders is very important for countries’ relations.

The subsequent meeting took place with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the director of the General Intelligence Service, Mr. Abbas Kamel, the Israeli national security adviser, Eyal Hulata, the prime minister’s military secretary, brigadier general. Avi Gil, Bennett’s senior diplomatic adviser, Shimrit Meir, and also coordinator of captives and missing Israelis Yaron Blum, and also held their own meetings while Bennett and Sisi spoke.

It should be noted that there was an Israeli flag present at all meetings, unlike in the past, which was only a factor that reflected greater warmth after more than 40 years of a cold peace between Israel and Egypt.

The diplomatic source said the prime minister’s office told the Egyptian presidency that there should be an Israeli flag for the prime minister’s meeting and that there should not be too much retreat.

“We are not forcing any Arabs to embrace us. Our sense of legitimacy does not come from anyone’s embrace. But when you’re not desperate, things happen on their own; it’s like going out on a date, ”the source joked.

The exact date of Bennett’s trip had been censored in Israel and the Israeli media could not accompany the prime minister, due to very strict security agreements.

As such, to an infrequent extent, the Egyptian Presidency made a statement to the press about the visit before the PMO did so.

The public nature of the trip was added to earlier indications of a warming of ties, such as when Egypt and Israel’s energy ministers held a press conference in Egypt earlier last year.

When it came to debates about Gaza, emphasis was placed on stopping arms smuggling into Gaza through Rafah’s passage to Egypt.

“The fact that Hamas is on a trajectory to become Hezbollah is intolerable and will make the next round of fighting quick,” the diplomatic source said. “We have to make sure that guns do not enter Gaza.”

When it comes to allowing Qatar funds to enter Gaza without reaching terrorists, the government has yet to find a solution, the source said.

Bennett met with the family of Avera Mengistu, an Israeli civilian in Hamas captivity since 2014, on Tuesday, the day after the meeting

Bennett told the family that “he is personally committed to bringing back Israeli soldiers and civilians from Gaza, and that his door is open to them,” the prime minister’s office said.

In addition to Mengistu, Hamas has maintained the civilian Hishal al-Sayed since 2015 and the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul since 2014.

Israelis Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avera Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed are detained by Hamas in Gaza (credit: COURTESY OF THE FAMILY / FACEBOOK)

Amid reports that Sisi hoped its openings in Israel would improve its relations with the Biden administration, State Department officials told the Washington Post that they would put new conditions on their security aid to Egypt for the violations. of human rights.

Egypt receives US $ 1.3 billion in aid.

Of that, $ 300 million depends on meeting human rights standards. The Biden administration will send $ 170 million for the fight against terrorism, but it is expected that another $ 130 will be maintained unless Egypt completes human rights NGO processes and withdraws the charges against 16 people.