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Israeli–Egyptian Relations: The Egyptian Perspective

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The Palgrave International Handbook of Israel

Abstract

The chapter provides an overview of Israeli–Egyptian relations as seen through Egyptian lenses since the two countries concluded the peace treaty in March 1979. It is divided into three historical discussion units, which are not chronologically symmetric. The first period begins with Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem until his assassination in October 1981. The second and more extended period covers Hosni Mubarak’s reign (1981–2011); and the third period reviews post-Mubarak Egypt. In each period, the discussion addresses selective central themes that had an impact – adverse or positive – on the bilateral relations. The overview shows that Egypt’s foreign policy from Sadat to Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been based on Realpolitik, safeguarding Egyptian national interests has been the highest priority, and peace with Israel was and remains an Egyptian strategic national asset.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) for their generous research grant (977/18), which helped pursuing this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Studies, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Rami Ginat

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  1. Rami Ginat
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Correspondence to Rami Ginat .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    P. R. Kumaraswamy

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Ginat, R. (2023). Israeli–Egyptian Relations: The Egyptian Perspective. In: Kumaraswamy, P.R. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of Israel. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2717-0_80-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2717-0_80-1

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