Publication

This commentary discusses the outcomes of the Middle East Media monitor on Egyptian attitudes towards Israel. It states that bilateral relations between Egypt and Israel have, despite high political efforts to the contrary, never been popular with the majority of Egyptians. Egyptians view the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as a betrayal of Arab unity that moreover left the Palestinian issue unresolved. In the post-Mubarak era tensions remain high, primarily related to Israeli undiplomatic moves. As a consequence, the Egyptian interim regime has to perform a difficult balancing act between satisfying popular demands and making strategically sound choices.