By, Jennifer Lipman
1 min read
ByJennifer Lipman, Jennifer Lipman
Israel is prepared for “any possibility” in the Arab world following the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning.
Describing the events of the last month in the Middle East as an “earthquake”, Mr Netanyahu stressed the importance of maintaining the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, now that President Hosni Mubarak’s regime has been toppled.
He said he hoped “for the best” – that the treaty would remain strong and that Israel could soon sign more with other Arab states – but that Israel would be prepared, whatever transpired in the region.
Mr Mubarak was considered one of the Arab world’s most Israel-sympathetic leaders. His departure has raised concerns about the involvement of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood organisation in Egyptian politics.
The Egyptian military, to whom Mr Mubarak ceded power on Friday, vowed this weekend to honour the Camp David Accords.
Speaking on Radio Four’s Today programme this morning, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Israel wanted "a firewall on negative forces outside Egypt".
Mr Ayalon said Israel applauded the Egyptian people for striving for democracy, but warned: “We caution on outside influence [on Egypt]... especially from Tehran.”