Egypt to Israel: Our tanks needed in Sinai

In this Aug. 9, 2012 file photo, army trucks carry Egyptian military tanks in El Arish, Egypt's northern Sinai Peninsula. / AP Photo, File

(AP) CAIRO - In the first direct contact with his Israeli counterpart since taking office, Egypt's new defense minister defended his country's increased military presence in the Sinai Peninsula, saying it is needed to fight terrorism and is temporary, Egyptian officials said Saturday.

The officials — one from Egyptian intelligence and the second from the military — said Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called Ehud Barak on Thursday in their first conversation since el-Sissi became defense minister earlier this month. The phone call followed grumbling from Israeli officials about not being consulted before Egypt's leaders deployed tanks to the Sinai Peninsula, the strip of Egyptian land that borders Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli defense ministry refused comment. An Israeli defense official said no conversation took place between el-Sissi and Barak. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the extreme sensitivity of the mater.

Egypt beefed up its military presence in Sinai after an Aug. 5 attack blamed on Islamic militants that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers in the peninsula.

Israel says Egypt violating peace treaty in Sinai

Israel said that Egypt moved tanks into Sinai without its consent — something that is required under the 1979 peace treaty between the countries.

The Egyptian officials said el-Sissi reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to the peace accord in his conversation with Barak.

The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of relations between Egypt and Israel at this time.

In Egypt, the president's spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

Israel-Egypt relations have grown increasingly complicated since the June election of President Mohammed Morsi, an Islamist and member of the Muslim Brotherhood who is Egypt's first freely elected civilian leader.

Morsi's sudden move earlier this month to replace longtime leaders of the Egyptian military familiar to Israel following the Sinai attack has added to the tensions. El-Sissi served as head of military intelligence for two years before assuming the post of defense minister from Hussein Tantawi, who held the post for 20 years.

The conflicting reports seemed to reflect sensitivities that were also apparent in an incident last month after Israel said Morsi wrote back to Israeli President Shimon Peres, who had sent the Egyptian president a letter wishing him well on the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The president's office denied sending any reply.

The letter was a potential embarrassment since Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group has long been hostile to Israel and has said its members in government will have no contact with it — though they have promised to preserve the countries' landmark peace treaty.

The confusion also might have stemmed from a protocol mix-up. The letter was sent by the Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv and sent to Peres by fax and by courier — and was on the mission's stationary, not the presidency's, though it is written in the name of Morsi. An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official and an official close to the presidency told The Associated Press that Morsi has no intention to communicate directly with the Israelis and that he mandated the Foreign Ministry to take over routine contacts with the Jewish state. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Let Israel rot - it is no ally of the US.

Let the entire M.E. implode and blow themselves to pieces. They all have enough money to wage their own wars and support their own countries. We don't.

[earth5695]

Oh...I see your "point"

Hmmm..rot ?

and what debate should be had with your intellectual post here ?

How about you get a long slow cancer this year Achmed ?

Yes, thats my "point' and response .

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

What "point"?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by earth5695

Your just too dumb

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Classic!! Take a grammar class, Einstein.

[earth5695]

OOOH !..............Re_ aka Achmed replys with a grammer lesson which is the only reBUTTal he can come back with on every post.

Your "point" ?

Typical of your kind.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

grammer

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I'd also recommend a class focusing on spelling.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by ToolMangler1 August 25, 2012 9:45 PM EDT
So you would rather throw Israel to the wolves to save a few bucks now which means you will be fighting an 'ALL-OUT' WAR against Islamic Jihadist with in 5 to 10 years...
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Quite an assumption there. I'm against supporting anyone in the Middle East, and believe Israel is the best place to stop.

"We own the Americans, and they know it." - Arial Sharon, PM of Israel on Israeli state radio, Oct 2001.

[earth5695]

Re_ lives in Tehran......what did you expect from Achmed ?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Again, you only have lies about other posters to offer, earth, which means you have no actual points to make regarding the topic.

[lami987]

U.S. should not involved in another war period. If they want to fight let them. I don't think they'll fight if we left them alone. They are pretty smart. We were so stupid that we fought Iraq war for Israel. The only thing Israel contributed to the war was weapon of mass destruction lies. Besides fight between religious fanatics will never end.

[earth5695]

Fought Iraq war for Israel ?

Have any more blood libels for us Lambi ?

[dadrees-2009]

the isrealis have had the us on a guilt trip since 1948 when the us abstained during the vote for isreals' independance. how much more will it cost us to finally make amends?

[earth5695]

The only guilt trip is the one YOU created with your BS.

Thanks for your input. Morons are oftentimes too shy to contribute to these forums

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

earth - why do you never have points, only insults?

[krotec54]

Of course the Egyptian tanks are not really needed in the Sinai, they are preparing for the next phase, Hezbola and the West Bank will soon come to play. Iran and Syria will distract the rebels to a new goal. Russia and China will complain but they cannot afford to be dragged into a conflict where its citizens will not agree to be in and the next two months will be interesting in the elections.

[eurpeanblend]

Some day there will be no more wars. But for now, the devil and all of his followers want blood. Jesus said "Don't be fearful of the one who can destroy the body, but rather fear him who can destroy the body and the Spirit." Bible new testament.

[eurpeanblend]

I pray often for the Christian/ Jews and Moslems. I think it is sad that war has to be a harsh fact of life. But the religion thing is costing alot of innocent lives. It is terrible. We are all God's children, but only if we recogize the true God and start loving HIM.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

We are all God's children, but only if we recogize the true God and start loving HIM.
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Sounds like an exclusive god, rather than an inclusive one. Can't be a good god to worship, then, in my opinion.

[eurpeanblend]

The Moslem-Brotherhood in any christian/jewish nation is out to become the Leaders of the World. If you don't think it is in America's best interest to help Israel, you may be dead wrong. Or your children's children will have to bow, or get their heads chopped off unless they bow to Allah.

[dadrees-2009]

did michelle bachman tell you that?if she didn't ,it just proves that ignorance has no bounds

[earth5695]

Ues Knsn.............Tell that to the countless thousands who have been beheaded, tortured, buried alive and put in prison by that "propoganda" you casually try to pretend does not exist.

KNSN....You are the king of propoganda. How much are they paying you this month ?

[eurpeanblend]

President Milhouse Nixon in the 60's was warned by his dear mother as a young man. She told him "When you are in a position of great power someday,you will be given the opportunity to help Israel. If they ask for help, give it." So during the time he was being impeached from the presidency, the war was on with Communism from China in Viet Nam etc. The last thing he needed was to help fight another war. But the Prime Minister of Israel asked our country for help. The answer was no by the powers that were. Then President Nixon made an estonishing decision. He spoke these words: "Give them everything they need." THAT is why America is so great. Compassion. The Bible even talks about when anyone helps God's first chosen, it is good. Although He loves us all, Israel is special. I wish they could all get along. But they can't, won't, it is fate. By the way, if President Nixon was in this day and age, he wouldn't be impeached, I do believe.

[eurpeanblend]

It was President Richard Milhouse Nixon. His aunt taught piano here when I was a child. She happened to be a "Quaker" or "Friends" Church pianist too. And a very kind wise older lady.

[eurpeanblend]

It was Henry Kissinger who said "NO to Israel- and let them fin for themselves". Then Pres. Nixon got the direct phonecall from the "Mrs. Prime Minister" of Israel.

[bashdj]

Are those Super Shermans?