Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 01, 2009 Sivan 9, 5769 | | Israel Time: 11:05 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 18:24 31/05/2009
Egypt: Mideast peace more pressing that Iran nukes
By The Associated Press
Tags: Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Iran 

Egypt does not agree with Israel's point of view that Iran's nuclear ambitions are a higher priority for the region than Mideast peace, a spokesman to President Hosni Mubarak said Sunday.

Israel is looking to rally moderate Arab nations around the idea that Iran is the common danger to the whole region. The comments from presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad, however, indicate that Egypt refuses to let Israel side step the issue of the peace process.

His remarks come just ahead of President Barack Obama's visit to the region and a high profile speech expected to address the faltering peace process.
Advertisement

"With regard to attempts to say Iran is a common danger, President Mubarak's and Egypt's priority is on the Palestinian issue," he told reporters in Cairo. "This will remain the priority regardless of the numerous dangers and threats in the Middle East."

Awwad added that Egypt will keep pressing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials have refused to endorse the two state solution to the peace process and instead tried to shift the regional focus to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The Israeli view is that the international community must deal with Tehran first, saying it poses a threat not just to Israel but also to Arab nations in the region.

That view is not finding much support in the Arab world.

While Sunni Arab governments agree Shiite Iran is a potential threat they are reluctant to be seen as joining Israel against another Muslim nation.

Arabs also fear that a focus on Iran will derail efforts to commit Obama to the two-state solution.

In a much-anticipated speech in Egypt on Thursday Obama is expected to stress a commitment to strengthening U.S. ties to the Muslim world.

On Wednesday he arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, the sponsor of the 2002 Arab peace plan which calls for normalizing ties with Israel in exchange for land seized during 1967's Six Day war.

Related articles:
  • 'Hezbollah, Iran plotted bombing of Israel embassy in Azerbaijan'
  • Nasrallah: Iran arming Hezbollah unconditionally
  • 'Egypt entices Palestinians to unite with Gaza crossings pledge'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    No settlement freeze
    Shas tells cabinet: U.S. demand to halt settlement activity is tantamount to expulsion
    Jews unwelcome
    A new study reveals: Israel is the most unpopular country among Turks
      1.   Israel has to change the subject 18:59  |  Mark Lincoln 31/05/09
      2.   Egypt-Israel 19:20  |  roger 31/05/09
      3.   Arabs are wetting their pants 19:47  |  Frank 31/05/09
      4.   Middle East peace more pressing than Iran nukes. 20:10  |  David Nigel Braham 31/05/09
      5.   roger 20:44  |  imad 31/05/09
      6.   Egypt Crap 20:45  |  Brod 31/05/09
      7.   If Hamas would not rule Gaza, Egypt wouldn`t say this. 21:29  |  Fortuna Benmayor 31/05/09
      8.   A guilty conscience can affect behavior 22:37  |  Natallie Durson 31/05/09
      9.   If Israel wants to rally Arab opposition to Iran 22:41  |  newageblues 31/05/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    The Pope in the Holy Land
    Durban II conference
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Air strike in Sudan
    More Headlines
    08:17 Egypt rejects U.S. plan for Arab-Israeli normalization
    10:02 Settlers attack Palestinians after West Bank outpost evacuation protest
    11:03 Katsav attorneys drop former president as client
    08:13 'Racist' undertones color U.K. lecturers' Israel boycott debate
    04:09 Israeli diplomats told to take offensive in PR war against Iran
    08:16 Hamas urges Palestinians to fight PA like they would Israel
    10:36 It's official: Madonna will perform in Israel in September
    20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    04:24 ANALYSIS / Anti-Hamas crackdown sign of renewed PA confidence
    10:20 Shalit supporters: Mediator pick should have come sooner
    08:39 IDF weekend trips hosted by East Jerusalem settlement group
    08:09 Thousands celebrate Israel at New York City parade
    01:58 Family axes wedding plans, Egyptian cuts off penis
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved