Thursday, September 15, 2011

Egypt PM: Israel Treaty 'Not Sacred'



Egyptian prime minister Isam Sharaf told Turkish television the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty wasn't sacred and was subject to change.
By Gavriel Queenann
First Publish: 9/15/2011, 8:19 PM
ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS
Essam Sharaf
Essam Sharaf
Official Photo
Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Thursday said the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty is not sacred and is subject to change.

"The Camp David agreement depends on what benefits the region," Sharaf said in an interview on Turkish television, adding, "Egypt will make changes to the treaty if necessary."

Sharaf's statements follow the popular sentiments of the street in Cairo, but altering the treaty would require the consent of all three signatories - Egypt, Israel, and the United States.

Contrary to Sharaf's rhetoric, however, Egypt's caretaker junta has consistently downplayed the chances of such a move due to sharp opposition from US officials, and Israel.
Making such a move without Israeli or US consent would likely lead to a loss of the billions in US aid dollars underwriting Egypt's regional muscle and could lead to a war with Israel over the Sinai.

Meanwhile, the last three Israeli diplomats left Cairo today and landed in Tel Aviv . According to media reports in Egypt, is acting ambassador, the security officer and deputy.

These last remaining diplomats in the country after the dramatic evacuation came after an attack on the embassy at the weekend and completed the final evacuation of the embassy.
Earlier this week, Egyptian security forces detained 92 protesters who had allegedly been involved in the Israeli Embassy assault in Cairo on Friday night. In total police and soldiers arrested 130 protesters, according to state television.

According to reports in Egypt, some of the detainees are suspected of trying to break into another building, located several hundred meters from the embassy building.
Egyptian Information Minister Osama Hassan Khaykl appeared on Egyptian television and said that the protesters who were arrested will face charges.

"Egypt will take legal measures," said Khaykl who condemned the embassy attack, "to see the persons involved charged for their in actions in court."