West Bank newspaper reports claim that the head of Israel’s Foreign and Security Committee in the Knesset described “what has happened in Tunisia and Egypt as a strategic warning to Israel”. Shaul Mofaz also expects “2011 to be a turning point in a number of other places in the region”.
Mr. Mofaz told Israeli reporters that the Zionist state “must undertake new strategic assessment in light of what is happening in Egypt and closely follow-up on its internal situation as well as the situations in other places in the region.” He added, “Israel must confirm its non-interference in what is happening in Egypt as well as its desire to maintain the peace treaty and the stability of the authority there.” The Egyptian army, he said, “carries on its shoulders responsibility for the maintenance of stability”.
Mofaz is a former Defence Minister and leader of the Kadima party. He went on to say that he believes that “the radical axis which includes Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas will attempt to influence the course of events in Egypt”.
In an earlier statement, Mofaz outlined various scenarios which could take place in Egypt. The “preferred scenario for Israel,” he said, “is Hosni Mubarak holding an election in September in accordance with the Egyptian constitution.”
Source: Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies