Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet on Sunday will Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who travelled to Israel earlier the same day to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, bilateral ties and various pressing matters for the region.
According to Israeli government spokesperson Ofir Gendelman, the two officials will meet once in the afternoon and once again in the evening.
Gendelman, who said the visit was requested by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, extended his welcome to Shoukry.
Gendelman quoted Netanyahu as saying that the Egyptian foreign minister’s visit is important for many reasons, not least because it marks a shift in Egyptian-Israeli relations and a proactive response to Sisi’s recent call for advancement in the peace process.
According to Gendelman, Netanyahu also offered thanks to Isaac Molcho, chief negotiator in the Israeli negotiating team with the Palestinians, for his indispensible help in bringing about Shoukry’s visit.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed abu Zeid said that the timing of Shoukry’s visit is critical, following up recent regional and international efforts to re-stoke peace talks.
These include the foreign minister's visit to Ramallah on June 29, the peace conference in Paris of July 3 and the issuance of a much anticipated report drafted by the so-called Middle East peace quartet concerning a potential two state solution.
Prior to this, on May 17, President Sisi made a surprise speech calling for Palestinians and Israelis to reach a fair and comprehensive solution to the ongoing conflict. The president called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which he asserted would bring safety and security to Israel and the region at large.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
