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Israeli-Egyptian Relations on the Rocks?

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    Author Aaron David Miller on how recent violence affects their relationship

  • Duration 5:08
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And some dramatic developments unfolding in the Middle East Israel now apologizing.

For its role in the deaths of at least three Egyptian soldiers.

This after Egypt -- trachsel an earlier threats to recall its ambassador.

Tension now between the two countries escalating following Friday's incident when Israeli soldiers reportedly.

Opened fire.

On Egyptian troops while in pursuit of Gaza militants.

So what is this now mean for the overall peace process in the region.

Aaron David Miller author of the much too promised land and a former advisor to six secretaries of state joins us now on.

-- good to have you with us you know Israel says it deeply regrets the death.

The the Egyptian officers but Egypt saying that's going to pull out its ambassador now.

Kind of backtracking on that pulling their best ought to be to but meantime -- -- of people have been protesting in front of Israel's embassy waving Palestinian flags so how will all of this.

Impact relations between these two countries.

Hey this is a critically important relationship that's lasted for thirty plus years and even under these circumstances but with the Government of Israel and the government of Egypt.

Even in its new incarnation understand that this is a strategic asset for both sides.

You know during the course of the last thirty years there have been several times.

Where Egyptian security and military personnel have been killed by Israelis in these kinds of incidents.

The problem now is that Egyptian public opinion.

Is more influential.

And more determined it -- And you have a military government that is responsive to that pressure so what we're seeing now.

Is really.

Have a lot to do with politics.

And the fact that the Egyptian army military.

Is the guardian of of Egypt's national honors so I think that's what accounts for the severity.

Of the initial reaction.

-- -- and let's look at something else here at the root of this incidence of course that was a provocation made by Hamas.

When militants cross into southern Israel threw -- the Egyptian desert.

And launched a deadly attack killing eight Israel -- Israelis that He had taught at the airports reacted to that.

As or anything that Egypt and Israel can do jointly to stop the actions of Hamas.

Well that's going to be very very difficult.

This action was undertaken by something called the popular popular resistance committees which Warren is not formally part of Hamas but an operation -- -- Had to have the knowledge and the acquiescence.

-- hamas' military leadership.

And again the Egyptian government is under tremendous pressure.

To keep the border open to support Hamas.

And to turn a blind guy and it's going to be extremely difficult.

In the months to come.

To manage this triangular relationship.

To keep Egypt's relationship with the Palestinians -- While keeping Egypt's relationship with -- Israel.

A sound basis it's going to be -- And by and large this is a consequence.

Of opening up the egyptians system.

-- spring.

As well as Arab winner.

Sure because they're no longer have -- -- -- -- who had a strong alliance the United States.

And kept a strong alliance with Israel but let me ask you at this particular time.

Now that we see the results of the Arab spring would you classify Egypt is being a friend or -- To Israel -- for that matter to the United States.

And I think -- egyptians.

Represented.

A country in transition.

But as long as cooler heads prevail and I suspect they will.

Because the Egyptian military receives a billion plus dollars in military assistance and hundreds millions of more in excess defense article.

Egypt and Israel has they have a fundamental strategic stake.

In keeping that peace treaty -- intact so Egypt is still very much.

A friend.

Of both the United States and Israel but let's be very clear.

The -- spring.

And the Arab winner.

Is gonna force a contraction.

In the amount of space that both the United States and Israel have to operate in this region.

And things are gonna be very tricky for both of these countries tricky indeed -- -- -- -- go Aaron let me ask you about next month when the UN.

Will decide on what's gonna take place in terms of the Palestinians and Israel how Mike the situation between Egypt and Israel a fact that as well.

Well I think that's headed for a if we're lucky.

We'll get out of this without a lot of broken diplomatic Crocker -- But the reality is that there is no peace process right now and the chances of a conflict ending agreement.

Between Israelis and Palestinians.

Under these circumstances.

Are slim to none and the egyptians who.

Will not play ball any longer with the United States and acquiescing to these -- this impasse.

All right Aaron David Miller you gave us some -- to consider certain will be watching developments in the Middle East as it continues to unfold thank you appreciate it.

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