Lieberman taps new Egypt envoy, after year of strained ties
Foreign Minister, who sparked Egypt's outrage by criticizing Mubarak, makes decision after year of stalling.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Egypt Hosni Mubarak Israel news Avigdor LiebermanThe Foreign Ministry on Sunday appointed former ambassador to the United Nations, Yitzhak Levanon, as its new envoy to Cairo.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman had been stalling on the decision for about a year, fearing his choice would further strain his relations with Egypt. Cairo had declared following Lieberman's assumption of the foreign ministry that it would not deal with him, due to his contentious remarks regarding the Egyptian president.
Lieberman had wanted to appoint Israel Defense Forces Colonel (Res.) Shaul Kamisa, who is affiliated with Yisrael Beiteinu party, but retracted his decision due to heavy criticism from officials both within his ministry and others.
Levanon has served as a diplomat for Israel for over three decades.
Lieberman sparked outrage in Egypt last year and threats of boycott when as a legislator in the opposition, he criticized its president, Hosni Mubarak, in a speech before the Knesset, saying that the Egyptian leader could "go to hell."
Lieberman was critical of Mubarak's refusal to make an official state visit to Israel. The Egyptian leader's sole trip to his country's neighbor to the east was for the 1995 funeral of slain prime minister Yitzhak Rabin
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Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Daniel Bar On |
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I think it's time Israel reads Mubarak the riot act: if you don't come to Israel, Israel will not come to Egypt. The country is not really relevant, not economically, not politically, and it's time Israel demands some real respect. Just like Egypt blaims Israel for keeping the borders closed, it keeps Gaza and thereby it's Arab brothers sealed off from the world. They should open the border and inspect the import goods, anyway, that's up to them, but Mubarak should come to the residence of the President of Israel next, before he celebrates his 50 year dictatorship.