Smotrich threatens Egypt, drawing angry response from Egyptians

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said there would be “no Sinai” if Egypt attacked Israel, prompting angry reactions from Egyptian journalists, lawmakers and influencers, some of whom warned that there would be “no Israel” if Egypt were attacked.

Smotrich made the remarks in a video interview from his home on Monday, on the eve of Egypt’s 53rd anniversary celebrations of its October 1973 victory over Israel, which led to the liberation of the Sinai Peninsula from Israeli occupation.

“What will make Egypt not attack us? If they attack us, there will be no Sinai, at least. But no, it will not happen again,” Smotrich said.

There was no immediate official response from the Egyptian authorities to Smotrich’s threat. However, Egyptian journalists, lawmakers and influencers close to the authorities strongly criticised the Israeli minister and warned against any threat to Sinai.

During his programme on Sada El Balad TV, Egyptian journalist Ahmed Moussa said: “If you act recklessly, there will be no Israel. That’s the end of the matter.”