Israel quietly withdraws ambassador from Egypt 'over security concerns'
Israeli ambassador David Govrin left Egypt late last year
14 February 2017 • 12:43pm
Israel quietly withdrew its ambassador from Egypt several weeks ago amid fears about his safety, according to Israeli officials.
Sources told The Telegraph that Ambassador David Govrin was pulled out of Egypt at the end of last year over security concerns.
Their claims were confirmed by the Shin Bet, Israel's lead security agency. "Due to security concerns the return of the Foreign Ministry embassy staff to Cairo has been restricted," a spokesman said.
The ambassador is currently working from Jerusalem and the Israeli government hopes that he will be able to return to his post soon.
It is not clear what the security concerns were but Egypt has been wracked by a series of terror attacks in the last year.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
The case highlights the difficulties Israel faces in carrying out diplomatic work in Egypt, which along with Jordan is the only Arab country to have diplomatic ties to the Jewish state.
Israel and Egypt established diplomatic relations in 1980 after thirty years of war but the relationship is sometimes referred to as “a cold peace”.
While the two governments cooperate closely on security issues their citizens rarely visit each other’s countries and anti-Israeli sentiments still run high in Egypt.
In September 2011 a crowd of rioters stormed the Israeli embassy compound in Cairo and trapped six Israeli security guards inside a barricaded safe room.
The Israelis were rescued by Egyptian commandos after the US government demanded that the military junta ruling Egypt at the time get them out safely.
Since then the Israeli embassy has been moved to a small building inside the ambassador’s residence in the Maadi suburb of south Cairo.
Streets leading to the building are blocked off and the area is heavily guarded by Egyptian security forces.
Mr Govrin was appointed ambassador to Egypt last summer after his predecessor requested to leave his post because of the arduous security restrictions, according to Haaretz.
While other foreign ambassadors are able to move relatively freely around Cairo, the Israeli envoy travels everywhere with a heavy security detail.
Mr Govrin is a fluent Arabic speaker who wrote his doctoral thesis on Arab liberalism. In a breezy Youtube video posted in July, Mr Govrin introduces himself to the Egyptian public in Arabic and talks about his affection for their country and his hopes for Israel-Egyptian relations.
“A close neighbour is better a distant brother,” he says, quoting a Biblical proverb.
The Israeli embassy website shows Mr Govrin visited the Egypt Museum in Cairo in November but there is no record of his presence in Egypt after that.
Eli Shaked, the Israeli ambassador in Egypt from 2003 to 2005, said he was guarded by Egyptian security guards and Israeli operatives whenever he left the embassy.
“There were days when we warned about possible acts against me or my staff or the embassy and there were some occasions when we were alarmed but were always able to stay in Egypt,” he told The Telegraph.
“It was different then, nowadays the security problems are much tougher.”
The Egyptian government is waging a bloody counter insurgency operation against a jihadist group linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) and has suffered terror attacks across the country.
The group, known as Isil Sinai Province, claimed credit for killing 27 people in a bombing at a Christian church in Cairo in December. Two Egyptian generals were assassinated by Islamist gunmen in the autumn and dozens of police and soldiers have been killed.
News of Mr Govrin’s withdrawal from Egypt was first reported on Facebook by Amin el-Mahdy, an Egyptian political analyst who maintains contacts with Israeli officials.
Mr el-Mahdy said he did not believe that the ambassador was withdrawn over security fears and said instead that the move was the result of behind the scenes political tensions between Egypt and Israel.
He said he believed that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian president, were in a disagreement over Gaza and its border with Egypt and that the argument had led to Mr Govrin being brought home.
“Why is Netanyahu is hiding from his people the details of his conflict with the Egyptian military junta, and with Sisi, his staunch ally?” Mr el-Mahdy wrote on Facebook.
Israeli officials denied there was any political reason for the ambassador’s withdrawal.
Relations between Israel and Egypt are generally seen as deeper than ever before, with the countries working together on security issues at their shared border.
“The connections and the relationship has never been better,” said Mr Shaked, the former Israeli ambassador.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/14/israel-quietly-withdraws-ambassador-egypt-security-concerns/
Israeli ambassador David Govrin left Egypt late last year
14 February 2017 • 12:43pm
Israel quietly withdrew its ambassador from Egypt several weeks ago amid fears about his safety, according to Israeli officials.
Sources told The Telegraph that Ambassador David Govrin was pulled out of Egypt at the end of last year over security concerns.
Their claims were confirmed by the Shin Bet, Israel's lead security agency. "Due to security concerns the return of the Foreign Ministry embassy staff to Cairo has been restricted," a spokesman said.
The ambassador is currently working from Jerusalem and the Israeli government hopes that he will be able to return to his post soon.
It is not clear what the security concerns were but Egypt has been wracked by a series of terror attacks in the last year.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
The case highlights the difficulties Israel faces in carrying out diplomatic work in Egypt, which along with Jordan is the only Arab country to have diplomatic ties to the Jewish state.
Israel and Egypt established diplomatic relations in 1980 after thirty years of war but the relationship is sometimes referred to as “a cold peace”.
While the two governments cooperate closely on security issues their citizens rarely visit each other’s countries and anti-Israeli sentiments still run high in Egypt.
In September 2011 a crowd of rioters stormed the Israeli embassy compound in Cairo and trapped six Israeli security guards inside a barricaded safe room.
The Israelis were rescued by Egyptian commandos after the US government demanded that the military junta ruling Egypt at the time get them out safely.
Since then the Israeli embassy has been moved to a small building inside the ambassador’s residence in the Maadi suburb of south Cairo.
Streets leading to the building are blocked off and the area is heavily guarded by Egyptian security forces.
Mr Govrin was appointed ambassador to Egypt last summer after his predecessor requested to leave his post because of the arduous security restrictions, according to Haaretz.
While other foreign ambassadors are able to move relatively freely around Cairo, the Israeli envoy travels everywhere with a heavy security detail.
Mr Govrin is a fluent Arabic speaker who wrote his doctoral thesis on Arab liberalism. In a breezy Youtube video posted in July, Mr Govrin introduces himself to the Egyptian public in Arabic and talks about his affection for their country and his hopes for Israel-Egyptian relations.
“A close neighbour is better a distant brother,” he says, quoting a Biblical proverb.
The Israeli embassy website shows Mr Govrin visited the Egypt Museum in Cairo in November but there is no record of his presence in Egypt after that.
Eli Shaked, the Israeli ambassador in Egypt from 2003 to 2005, said he was guarded by Egyptian security guards and Israeli operatives whenever he left the embassy.
“There were days when we warned about possible acts against me or my staff or the embassy and there were some occasions when we were alarmed but were always able to stay in Egypt,” he told The Telegraph.
“It was different then, nowadays the security problems are much tougher.”
The Egyptian government is waging a bloody counter insurgency operation against a jihadist group linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) and has suffered terror attacks across the country.
The group, known as Isil Sinai Province, claimed credit for killing 27 people in a bombing at a Christian church in Cairo in December. Two Egyptian generals were assassinated by Islamist gunmen in the autumn and dozens of police and soldiers have been killed.
News of Mr Govrin’s withdrawal from Egypt was first reported on Facebook by Amin el-Mahdy, an Egyptian political analyst who maintains contacts with Israeli officials.
Mr el-Mahdy said he did not believe that the ambassador was withdrawn over security fears and said instead that the move was the result of behind the scenes political tensions between Egypt and Israel.
He said he believed that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian president, were in a disagreement over Gaza and its border with Egypt and that the argument had led to Mr Govrin being brought home.
“Why is Netanyahu is hiding from his people the details of his conflict with the Egyptian military junta, and with Sisi, his staunch ally?” Mr el-Mahdy wrote on Facebook.
Israeli officials denied there was any political reason for the ambassador’s withdrawal.
Relations between Israel and Egypt are generally seen as deeper than ever before, with the countries working together on security issues at their shared border.
“The connections and the relationship has never been better,” said Mr Shaked, the former Israeli ambassador.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/14/israel-quietly-withdraws-ambassador-egypt-security-concerns/
Today at 6:53 am by Rocky
» MM&C The Iraqi Private Banks Association told NEWS: These are the results of the Prime Minister’s me
Today at 6:52 am by Rocky
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The general amnesty law will be passed
Today at 6:46 am by Rocky
» A change in the fuel smuggling map... “control” over the central ports and “laxity” in the north
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani takes three urgent decisions to block the wheat mafias in Iraq
Today at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Electricity embarks on an 11-axis plan to develop the energy sector
Today at 6:39 am by Rocky
» “Thug and smuggler.” A female representative talks about a crocodile in Parliament blackmailing exec
Today at 6:37 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani told the US State Department: Iraq is keen to strengthen its democratic system
Today at 6:36 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $275 million at auction today
Today at 6:34 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Commerce stresses the observance of the Iraqi standard in the supply of goods
Today at 6:33 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces its participation in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdis
Today at 6:32 am by Rocky
» Iraq adopts an advanced system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
Today at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Increase in Euphrates River levels due to Turkish water releases
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Demands the need to legislate the capital law
Today at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Parliament decided to extend the legislative term by one month
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» A bank participating in the process of localizing the salaries of employees in the region
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary request to the Ministry of Finance regarding defense mobilization dues/document
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Dollar prices in Baghdad and Kurdistan today
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed decides to increase the ceiling for granting “construction” loans to 75 million dinars
Today at 5:14 am by Rocky
» A government plan to expand the construction of water harvesting dams
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Frozen or banned? An Iranian official reveals the fate of Tehran’s money in Baghdad
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Trade Bank participates in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdistan Region empl
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» After targeting its branch in Kurdistan... Dana Gas announces a decrease in its profits to $38 milli
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary understanding to extend the legislative term to approve the 2024 budget schedules
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Stopping the Commission’s procedures regarding the region’s elections
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Foreign oil companies violate Iraqi laws
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» The position of Speaker of Parliament depends on the political agreement
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Finance decides to send the April salary to the Kurdistan region
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» 88 projects awaiting resolution.. What will happen to the stalled laws in Parliament? - Urgent
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the US Undersecretary of State
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: Sanctions on 32 private banks caused financial problems inside Iraq (video)
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» An expert comments on the use of the Iraqi currency in commercial transactions with Iran
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Why does Iraq depend on foreign banks for dollar transfers?
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The fuel smuggling map in Iraq has “radically changed” from what it was years ago
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Petroleum Products announces a decrease in gasoline imports by about 8 million liters
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Complete decisions of the Council of Ministers session
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» The National University holds its second international scientific conference with the participation
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary proposals to extend the legislative term of the House of Representatives to resolve th
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Hanoun: We are working on preparing a six-year strategy to combat corruption based on technology
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» The Ministerial Council for the Economy decides to stop the import of 6 crops due to their abundance
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Minister of Industry: He turned to Chinese companies to supply Iraq with spongy iron ores
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» A foreign report reveals the existence of an undeclared Iraqi-British agreement regarding asylum see
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» “Fares Issa” visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» The position of Speaker of Parliament.. Representatives confirm: “There is no amendment to the bylaw
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Demands to put an end to foreign workers
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Iranian official: We do not have frozen funds in Iraq
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Entering 31 countries in the world without a visa.. A look at the Iraqi passport during 2024
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» An Iranian plan to export goods to Iraq worth $3 billion
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Board of Commissioners decides to suspend the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdist
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Governorate approves the two paths of the development road
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Mawazine publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers at its session today
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Asaib: The Sunnis are accustomed to having an external actor leading them
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: The Sudanese government enjoys the support of the Shiite and Sunn
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Politician: Representatives of Taqadum “hurt” Al-Halbousi and their party
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» “Deficit” is the password.. Parliamentary Finance decodes the budget delay
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The tourism sector will be a substitute resource for oil in the coming years
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
Yesterday at 5:10 pm by Rocky
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
Yesterday at 8:06 am by Rocky
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
Yesterday at 8:02 am by Rocky
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
Yesterday at 8:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
Yesterday at 7:59 am by Rocky
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
Yesterday at 7:57 am by Rocky
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
Yesterday at 7:55 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
Yesterday at 7:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
Yesterday at 7:43 am by Rocky
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
Yesterday at 7:42 am by Rocky
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
Yesterday at 7:40 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 7:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
Yesterday at 7:37 am by Rocky
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
Yesterday at 7:35 am by Rocky
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
Yesterday at 7:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
Yesterday at 7:28 am by Rocky
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky