Washington cuts Egypt aid despite intense Israeli lobbying -
Haaretz
By Jonathan Lis, Reuters and The Associated Press | Oct. 10, 2013
▻http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.551666
he United States’ decision to freeze military and economic aid to Egypt in the wake of a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood came despite intense Israeli lobbying to maintain it, Haaretz has learned.
The U.S. on Wednesday announced that it would withhold deliveries of military hardware and cash assistance from Egypt’s military-backed government, pending progress on democracy and human rights.
Israel fears that cutting aid to Egypt could affect the peace treaty between the two countries, signed in 1979, which brought Cairo into Washington’s sphere of influence. Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid after Israel.
In recent months, Israel has tried to convince the White House that punishing Egypt for the latest violence between the government and protesters was secondary to preserving the peace deal.
“As long as the American aid flows to Cairo, the Egyptian regime can ward off criticism against preserving the peace treaty with Israel,” Israeli officials told their U.S. counterparts.
Security establishment officials have maintained in recent weeks that cooperation with the Egyptian government should continue, despite the violence used against demonstrators. They say Jerusalem’s and Cairo’s common interest – fighting the Muslim Brotherhood – was much more important.
An Israeli cabinet member said Thursday morning that he believes that the decision would not affect Israel-Egypt relations.
“I hope this decision by the U.S. will not have an effect and won’t be interpreted as something that should have an effect,” Home Front Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio. Israel and Egypt, he said, maintain close ties and are cooperating.