Israeli ambassador vows to preserve peace treaty

Israel`s new ambassador to Egypt, Yaakov Amitai, arrived in Cairo three months after rioters attacked and looted the Israeli embassy in the country. His predecessor left after protesters tore down a security wall around the building housing the Israeli embassy. This incident followed the killing of six Egyptian soldiers by Israeli troops who were chasing Palestinian militants near the Egyptian border, Despite a tense few months between the two countries Amitai said he is sure “the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel will be preserved.” Israel and Egypt seem eager to preserve the US-brokered peace treaty they signed in 1979 – the first between Israel and an Arab state, which is a key pillar for both countries` security. For Israel, it has allowed it to redirect resources to the borders with Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. For Egypt, it meant receiving relevant funds in US military aid. Egypt's new military leaders also vowed to preserve the peace agreement, but popular sentiment is hostile to Israel. Amitai has also spoken in favour of the Egyptian revolution, saying that “with God`s help” it will succeed. Asked if he is worried by the Muslim Brotherhood taking over the country, the new ambassador said he would like to learn more about developments before answering such a question. Amitai concluded,  “my role is to strengthen peace between Israel and Egypt. I served in Egypt before in the 1980’s, and I am fulfilling the well-known saying that anyone who has drunk once from the Nile, will return to it once more.”