Egyptian–Israeli Relations, History, Progress, Challenges and Prospects in the Middle East

Abstract: Since recognizing Israel as a state, Egypt has had the closest relationship with Israel in the region. Under the presidency of Mubarak, the relationship between the two countries evolved and broadened. Egypt as one of the important Arab countries of the Middle East and Islamic world plays a crucial role in international scene and relationship among nations because it has an intellectual and cultural impact on the other Muslim countries in the region. Egypt also controls the Suez Canal, main waterway providing trade between East and West. The current domestic conditions in Egypt and the overthrow of Mubarak suggest a new chapter in its political life that would change, Egypt’s political milieu and its foreign political stance. Giving an overview of the relationship between Egypt and Israel from its very beginning to the present in four historical episodes, this article tries to analyze the impact of Egypt’s domestic changes on the Egypt-Israel relationship in the post-Mubarak period and it focuses on the point that after its transition and its return to normalcy, Egypt would continue its relations with Israel, albeit with minor differences compared to the past. Indeed, they would continue their relationship in the state-state level, though the peoples of the two countries would be pessimistic and hold ill-feeling toward the relationship between their Countries.