Sisi pressures Abbas for Palestinian peace talks

On Monday Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to discuss joint Arab and international issues. Egypt continues to place pressure on Abbas to introduce reforms to end internal division and resume Israel-Palestinian peace talks.

In the past Sisi has said he is willing to mediate the reconciliation between Palestinian factions, peace efforts between the Palestinians and Israelis and the establishment of a state for Palestine. Sisi is just one regional actor who has called for a revival of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative as a means of achieving this but critics say it would sideline Palestinian interests.

Last year the Quartet – made up of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – revived efforts to make peace between Palestinian factions. The four countries are keen to see the return of Mohammed Dahlan, who is close to the Israeli security establishment, to form connections between Israel and the Arab countries. Dahlan has little popular support among Palestinians.