Deviation from the government's line - from within the ruling party: Likud MKs Danny Danon and Tali Gottlieb on Sunday strongly attacked the Egyptian defense minister for his reaction after the attack in Egypt. This comes at a time when the prime minister and their party chairman, Benjamin Netanyahu, is trying to calm the situation vis-à-vis Cairo, as reflected in his messages to the media and ministers after the attack on the border in which two IDF soldiers and a female fighter were killed.
"There is no problem with the open-fire regulations": Southern Command commander Toledano reacts to attack on the Egyptian border // Photo: IDF Spokesperson
MK Danon, a former ambassador to the United Nations, told the High Court of Justice this morning: "Egypt's announcement of the attack is shameful and brazen, it's a matter of national honor - we would never have issued such a statement."
Danon was referring to the Egyptian defense minister, who issued a statement after his conversation yesterday with Defense Minister Yoav Galant. According to the Egyptian statement, Ahmed Zaki held the call to discuss "the circumstances of today's incident, the condolence of the victims on both sides, as well as joint coordination to take the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future." The Egyptians do not refer to the incident as a "terror attack" like in Israel, claiming that it began with a hunt for drug smugglers.
Gottlieb tweeted last night: "Mr. Egyptian Defense Minister, do not mock the intelligence of the people of Israel and send condolences to those killed on both sides!! No, the Egyptian terrorist did not chase drug smugglers, he killed our righteous soldiers and went on to shoot at the rescue forces. The IDF, of course, will draw its conclusions. But I, as a stateswoman, am not satisfied with what you say, Mr. Minister of Defense."
Mr. Minister of Defense, do not mock the intelligence of the people of Israel and send condolences to those killed on both sides!! No, the Egyptian terrorist did not chase drug smugglers, he killed our righteous soldiers and went on to shoot at the rescue forces. The IDF, of course, will draw its conclusions. But I, as a stateswoman, am not satisfied with what you say, Mr. Minister of Defense.
— Tali Gottlieb (@TallyGotliv) June 3, 2023
By the way, Gottlieb also prefers not to call the incident a "terror attack," but for reasons other than these, the Egyptian defense minister: "This is not an attack!! Our soldiers were killed in combat. Not in the attack. What is this inappropriate terminology? A soldier and a female soldier were shot to their deaths. So did the brave fighter in the rescue squad. XIV. They were killed in military action in defense of the people and the homeland. We will make sure to receive the report on open-fire regulations and the culture of mercy for the enemy.'
It is important to note that the political echelon invested efforts in distinguishing between investigating the difficult incident on the Egyptian border and the relations between the countries and the security cooperation that takes place on a regular basis. The Information Headquarters briefed the ministers after the attack and clarified that despite the differences in versions between us and the Egyptians that it was a terrorist attack, the investigation of the incident is being carried out in close and full cooperation with the Egyptian army. In addition, political sources reiterated that "this is an exceptional case that does not represent the security cooperation and joint activity between Israel and Egypt in maintaining security on the border."
On the Israeli side, they are trying to broadcast "business as usual. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Egyptian President el-Sisi (archive), photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO
An Israeli source said today that "the message coming from Egypt in recent hours is a return to routine and Egypt's clarification, 'This is not our way.' The most prominent proof of this is the existence and publication of last night's conversation between Defense Minister Galant and his Egyptian counterpart."
عضو الكنيست داني دانون عن حزب الليكود "الحاكم": تعقيب #مصر حول الهجوم عند الحدود "مخجل ووقح". pic.twitter.com/xsdL6bWe54
— الساهرة (@alsahera_ar) June 4, 2023
عضو الكنيست، داني دانون
إعلان مصر حول عملية إطلاق نار على الحدود هو عار ودنئ، هذه مسألة شرف وطني.
الجوز خـ.ولات. وكـ.د.ابين pic.twitter.com/7VZZLSDZ4m
— الأمير ياسين (@M86950933) June 4, 2023
However, the statements made by these MKs are also quoted in the Arab media and on the networks (as can be seen in the tweets), which certainly does not contribute to restoring relations to normal.
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