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Naftali Bennett makes first visit to Egypt by an Israeli PM in a decade Naftali Bennett makes first visit to Egypt by an Israeli PM in a decade
(about 4 hours later)
Naftali Bennett's trip to Egypt to meet Abdul Fattah al-Sisi had been shrouded in secrecyNaftali Bennett's trip to Egypt to meet Abdul Fattah al-Sisi had been shrouded in secrecy
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is holding talks with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Israel's prime minister has made an official trip to neighbouring Egypt for the first time in a decade.
It is the first official trip to Egypt by an Israeli premier for a decade. Naftali Bennett described his talks with President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh as "very important and very good".
The Egyptian presidency said the two leaders would discuss bilateral and regional issues, and ways to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Egypt said they had discussed regional issues, including ways to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Mr Bennett, who succeeded Benjamin Netanyahu in June, accepted an invitation to visit Egypt last month. Mr Bennett, who succeeded long-time Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in June, was invited to visit last month.
Mr Netanyahu was the last Israeli head of government to make an official visit to Egypt in 2011, when he met then-President Hosni Mubarak just over a month before he was ousted by a popular uprising.Mr Netanyahu was the last Israeli head of government to make an official visit to Egypt in 2011, when he met then-President Hosni Mubarak just over a month before he was ousted by a popular uprising.
He was reported to have also travelled secretly to Egypt in 2018 for unofficial talks with Mr Sisi, who led the military's overthrow of Mubarak's democratically elected successor in 2013 following mass protests. They also met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York several times.He was reported to have also travelled secretly to Egypt in 2018 for unofficial talks with Mr Sisi, who led the military's overthrow of Mubarak's democratically elected successor in 2013 following mass protests. They also met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York several times.
Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, but relations between the neighbours have often been cool.Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, but relations between the neighbours have often been cool.
The rise of Naftali Bennett, Israel's new PMThe rise of Naftali Bennett, Israel's new PM
Netanyahu: A shrewd leader who reshaped IsraelNetanyahu: A shrewd leader who reshaped Israel
The details of Mr Bennett's trip to the Sinai Peninsula on Monday were shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, and his meeting with Mr Sisi was only announced shortly before it started.The details of Mr Bennett's trip to the Sinai Peninsula on Monday were shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, and his meeting with Mr Sisi was only announced shortly before it started.
According to the Egyptian presidency, the two leaders were expected to discuss "a number of bilateral issues in various fields", as well as regional and international developments and "ways and efforts to revive the peace process" between Israel and the Palestinians. An official photograph showed the two leaders sitting closely together in front of their national flags.
Prime Minister Bennett, upon departing for Israel:"I have just finished a first visit with the President of Egypt. The meeting was very important and very good. During the meeting, first and foremost, we created a foundation for deep ties in the future. pic.twitter.com/zMc3fMyX8Q
The BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says that for President Sisi this was a chance to reassert Egypt's regional role, while Israel's prime minister was looking to show himself as a statesman.
In a statement released by his office after the talks, Mr Bennett said they had "created a foundation for deep ties in the future".
"We discussed a series of issues in the diplomatic, security and economic spheres, as well as ways to deepen ties and strengthen the interests of our countries," he added.
According to a spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, Mr Sisi "affirmed Egypt's support for all efforts aimed to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution and in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions, which contributes to enhancing security and prosperity for all the peoples of the region".
An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza was tested in recent daysAn Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza was tested in recent days
The BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says serious progress on peace talks seems unlikely given that they collapsed in 2014 and Mr Bennett - a nationalist politician - opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. Our correspondent says any imminent return to peace talks seems unlikely.
However, our correspondent adds, there are hopes that agreements can be made on reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. However, she adds, this summit was expected to look at ways to shore up a ceasefire that Egypt helped to broker between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip in May to end 11 days of fierce fighting, as well as reconstruction in the territory.
Egypt helped broker a ceasefire in May after 11 days of fierce fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the territory. At least 260 people were killed in Gaza and 13 people were killed in Israel. At least 260 people were killed in Gaza and 13 people were killed in Israel in the conflict.
In recent weeks, that ceasefire has been tested by a rise in cross-border violence.In recent weeks, that ceasefire has been tested by a rise in cross-border violence.
The Israeli military said earlier on Monday that it had struck targets belonging to the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, after rockets were fired at Israel for the third night in a row.The Israeli military said earlier on Monday that it had struck targets belonging to the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, after rockets were fired at Israel for the third night in a row.
The precarious life of a Gaza fishermanThe precarious life of a Gaza fisherman