Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his muted “respect” for the Muslim Brotherhood’s declared victory in the Egyptian presidential elections on Sunday, calling for “continued cooperation” to the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.
Releasing an official statement in which he claimed to appreciate “the democratic process in Egypt and respects its outcome”, the premier called for “continued cooperation with the Egyptian administration on the basis of the peace accord between the two countries, which is in the interest of the two peoples and contributes to regional stability”.
Victorious presidential candidate Mohammed Morsi meanwhile pledged to promote “a message of peace” to the world, promising to re-examine the Camp David accords and honour Egypt’s international accord. Speaking to Egyptian state television, he said: “We will honour international treaties and agreements, and will create balanced international relations based on mutual interests and respect.”
Despite describing his country as Israel’s “full equal”, his words are sure to cause some consternation for the international community and for Israel in particular, as he spoke of his wish to further develop diplomatic ties with Iran, in the interests of creating “a balance of pressure in the region, and this is part of my program”.
Morsi failed to address ongoing constitutional controversy in the country, after its parliament was suspended by the supreme court in the lead-up to last weekend’s presidential elections, leading the military’s attempted seizure of power.
The US similarly called for “national unity” following the Muslim Brotherhood’s “milestone” election victory. In a statement issued by White House spokesman Jay Carney, the US administration heralded Morsi’s victory and called on the incoming president to ensure that Egypt remains “a pillar of regional peace, security and stability”.
Stressing the need for inclusion regarding of religious denomination or gender, Carney said: “We believe that is important for President-elect Morsi to take steps at this historic time to advance national unity by reaching out to all parties and constituencies in consultations about the formation of a new government”.
At a memorial to Russia’s Red Army defeat of Nazi Germany in Netanya, at the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Israel on Monday, Israeli President Shimon Peres congratulated Morsi on his election win, describing peace as “the real victory for both Israel and Egypt”. Declaring the Jewish State’s continued commitment to ties with the new Islamist administration, the Israeli statesman said: “We will honour the peace between us, because peace if the real triumph for both our nations. Peace is the triumph for children everywhere.”
Whilst Vice Prime Minister and head of Kadima coalition members Shaul Mofaz echoed Netanyahu’s cautious words in saying Israel “respects the democratic process in Egypt, and I hope that the Egyptians respect it”, opposition leader and Labour head Shelly Yachimovitch warned Israeli must tentatively continue to observe the clauses of the peace treaty whilst regarding its Egyptian counterparts with suspicion.
Writing on her official Facebook page, she cautioned:
“We must maintain a dialogue with those who were elected to lead Egypt, despite all the complexities involved,” continuing: “Let’s hope and wish that democracy will bring economic, social and human rights improvements to the Egyptian people, and that they will be wise enough to guarantee the continuity of the political agreements, first and foremost the peace treaty with us, which is an asset to both countries.”
by: Shari Ryness
EJP
