Egyptian Warplanes Using Israeli Airspace To Attack ISIS Positions In The Sinai

Egyptian fighter jets penetrated Israeli airspace https://t.co/Cz0RrgD9Uh

— UJA News Net (@ujanewsnet) December 16, 2015

IBTimes: Egypt Anti-ISIS Fight: Israeli Airspace Violated As Egyptian Warplanes Battle Sinai Affiliate Of Islamic State Group

Egyptian fighter jets have crossed into Israeli airspace several times in the last few months as its military continues to battle a militant insurgency in its northern Sinai region. The airspace violations were believed to be the first since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, and did not elicit a response from Israel’s military, the Times of Israel reported Wednesday.

Israeli officials reportedly labeled the violations “minor,” and it’s possible they were coordinated with the Israeli Defense Forces, according to Ynetnews. The flights were mostly in a triangular border area that connects Israel, Gaza and Egypt.

WNU Editor: It looks like the Israelis are now permitting the Egyptians to conduct these raids using their airspace. I guess destroying the Islamic State is more important to Israel than Egyptian violations of Israeli airspace.

More News On Egyptian War-Planes Using Israeli Airspace To Attack ISIS Positions In The Sinai

Israel unfazed as Egyptian fighter jets penetrate its airspace -- Times of Israel
Egyptian Jets Using Israeli Airspace to Attack ISIS in Sinai -- Algemeiner
Egyptian planes cross into Israeli airspace -- Arutz Sheva
IDF Unfazed as Egyptian Warplanes Enter Israeli Airspace -- Breaking Israeli News

An Israeli - Jordan - Egyptian Military Alliance?

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon (C) walks next to Israel's armed forces chief Major-General Benny Gantz (R) during a visit to a military base near Kibbutz Kissufim outside the central Gaza Strip May 7, 2013. REUTERS/AMIR COHEN

Reuters: Israel hints at air force cooperation with Jordan, Egypt

Israeli fighter pilots recently trained with Arab counterparts in the United States, Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said on Tuesday, referring to a joint exercise that a U.S. official described as involving Jordanian planes.

The remarks by Yaalon followed Israel's disclosure that its air force helped locate a Russian passenger plane that crashed in the Egyptian Sinai on Saturday - both rare departures from a policy of keeping Israeli-Arab military cooperation under wraps.

Bruised by an Iranian nuclear deal with world powers that it had lobbied against, and hoping to skirt deadlocked Palestinian peace talks through wider regional engagement, Israel has been hinting it enjoys burgeoning secret ties with some Arab powers.

WNU Editor: I have trouble seeing such an alliance working out. I can see them adopting a neutral relationship .... but a working military alliance .... that is probably a "bridge to far".

Israel Iron Dome Intercepts Rocket Bound For Eilat

Israel Intercepts Rocket Headed For Resort City -- New York Times

JERUSALEM — Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system intercepted a rocket that was fired from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and headed for the southern resort city of Eilat early Tuesday, according to the Israeli military, the first time the military shield has been used to protect the city.

The rocket attack came at the height of the summer vacation season, when the city is packed with Israeli and foreign tourists. Witnesses told the Israeli news media that sirens went off after 1 a.m., and that booms were heard over the city as the rocket was intercepted.

Islamic militants operating across the Egyptian border in the southern Sinai Peninsula have fired rockets a few times at Eilat in recent years. So far, they have all fallen in empty spaces in and around the city, causing no casualties.

Read more ....

More News On Israel's Iron Dome System Intercepting A Rocket Bound For Eilat

Israel says it shot down a rocket near Egyptian border -- CBC/AP
Israel intercepts Sinai rocket: radio -- FOX News/AFP
Israel shoots down rocket targeting resort city Eilat -- Reuters
Israel's Iron Dome destroys rocket fired from Egypt's Sinai -- Christian Science Monitor
Israel Intercepts Missile Fired from Egypt -- Voice of America
Israel intercepts rocket fired from Egyptian territory -- The Telegraph
Islamist group claims rocket fire on Eilat, says no Israeli city is safe -- Haaretz/Reuters
Defense Minister: Sinai militants will strike again, but Iron Dome will keep south Israel safe -- Haaretz/Reuters
Defense minister: No need for Eilat residents to change routine after rocket fire -- Jerusalem Post
Sinai 'drone strike' highlights Israel-Egypt operations -- USA Today

Israeli Reaction To The Crisis In Egypt

As Egypt Roils, Israel Watches -- Foreign Policy

As the streets of Cairo erupt in chaos, Jerusalem wonders if the military can set things right again.

TEL AVIV — A year ago, Egyptians elected their first Islamist president. Across the Red Sea, Israelis were on edge.

"Israeli officials most dread the prospect of an Islamist president," I wrote in these pages in the lead-up to Mohamed Morsy's victory, when the Muslim Brotherhood candidate appeared to be a frontrunner.

A year later, now that Egypt's military has deposed the Islamist head of state, one might expect Israel to breathe easy. But like so much in this region, the two neighbors' relationship is exceedingly, unendingly complex.

"It's at once more complicated and much simpler than it seems," says Mark Heller, an Egypt expert at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies. "What's complicated is that there's no denying the deep hostility of every Islamist movement, including the Muslim Brotherhood, to Israel. But it's also true that the other political forces in Egypt, including those simplistically described as liberal or secular, are often no less hostile."

Read more ....

More News On Israeli Reaction To The Crisis In Egypt

Israel, worried about militant attacks, watches Egypt unrest closely -- Global Post
Egyptian coup raises Israeli concerns over terror attacks, rockets in south -- Haaretz
ElBaradei hardly Israel's dream candidate for Egypt PM -- Jerusalem Post
IDF on Sinai border: Security coordination with Egypt continues despite political upheaval -- Haaretz
Israel urged U.S. not to halt aid to Egypt, says top American official -- Haaretz
Analysis: Sinai’s growing terrorism problem ¸-- Jerusalem Post

Israeli Reactions To The Coup In Egypt

Israel Keeps Low-Profile On Egypt Crisis, Focuses On Security Concerns -- Haaretz

Netanyahu orders ministers not to release public statements or grant interviews on the matter; Israeli MK Ben Eliezer, however, praises army for deposing Morsi and blasts the ousted president as a power-hungry opportunist.

Israel is keeping a low profile in the wake of the Egyptian upheaval that ousted President Mohammed Morsi this week, and has not released an official statement on the matter.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his cabinet ministers not to grant any interviews or express their own opinions in any public forum, so long as the regime in Cairo remains unstable.

Following news that Chief Justice Adli Mansour would be appointed interim president, however, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz was the first Israeli official to release a statement to the public on the matter.

Read more ....

More News On Israeli Reactions To The Coup In Egypt

Israeli government tight-lipped as events unfold in Egypt -- Washington Post
Israel Warily Watches Egypt Turmoil -- Wall Street Journal
Israel keeping wary eye on Egypt unrest -- France 24
Israel silent after overthrow of Egypt's Morsi -- Ahram Online/AFP
Israel keeps wary eye on Egypt -- USA Today
Israel wary of Egyptian crisis after Morsi's ouster -- Zee News
Concerned but quiet, Israel watches Egypt with an anxious eye -- Jerusalem Post
Former Israeli envoy in Cairo: Egypt's problems are chronic disease -- Haaretz/DPA
'Arab Spring is not over yet': Israel watches Egypt warily -- NBC
Israel Fears Terror Takeover in Sinai -- Yeshiva World
Israel ups alert on border with Egypt after Morsi ouster -- APA

Egyptian Security Officials In Israel To Discuss Security, Diplomacy

EXCLUSIVE: Egyptian Security Officials In Israel To Discuss Security, Diplomacy -- The Tower

The Tower has learned that just days before President Barack Obama arrives in Israel for discussions on sensitive regional issues, a high-ranking group of Egyptian army intelligence officers has made a quiet trip to Israel to meet counterparts.

The discussions this week come at a time of increasing strain between Hamas, the Iran-backed terror group based in the Gaza Strip, and Egypt’s military and security forces, and as dire economic issues, as well as spreading riots, are straining the country. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has repeatedly overreached in pursuit of consolidated Islamist rule, deepening widespread public unrest that was already growing due to massive economic pressure.

Read more ....

My Comment: Is the Egyptian government sanctioning these discussions? Is Egypt's military/intelligence agencies pursuing a different agenda? A lot of questions .... but no answers .... and President Obama is arriving in a few days.

Egyptian President: No Negotiations With 'Descendants Of Apes And Pigs'

Morsi: No Peace With Descendants Of Apes And Pigs -- Jerusalem Post

Newly translated interviews by MEMRI show Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in 2010 opposing two-state solution.

Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are "a waste of time and opportunities" as Arabs and Muslims get nothing out of engagement with "the descendants of apes and pigs," current Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi asserted in September 2010, according to newly translated interviews published this week by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

In the first interview, aired on Lebanon's Al-Quds TV on September 23, 2010, Morsi denounced the Palestinian Authority as a creation of "the Zionist and American enemies for the sole purpose of opposing the will of the Palestinian people." Therefore, he stressed, "No reasonable person can expect any progress on this track."

Read more ....

Update: Morsi in 2010: No Negotiations with 'Descendants of Apes' -- Arutz Sheva

My Comment: Can the Obama administration work with such a racist .... probably not .... Morsi's comments highlights the problems that the White House is going to have. Fortunately .... the West does have some leverage .... they should hesitate in doing this until Morsi comes out publicly to explain these disgusting 2010 comments. And while I do not expect him to apologize for saying them, at least it would highlight the mindset and philosophy of the Muslim Brotherhood, and put pressure on Western governments to not be "so eager" to accommodate the new Egyptian government.

On a side note .... there has been zero coverage from the mainstream U.S. and European press on this story.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: Israel Will Cease To Exist Within Decade

Essam al-Erian speaks during a session at the Shura Council building in Cairo. (file photo)

Morsi Aide: Israel Will Cease To Exist Within Decade -- Arutz Sheva

Deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm in Egypt says that Israel would cease to exist by the end of the decade.

Deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm in Egypt, the Freedom and Justice Party, announced Tuesday that Israel would cease to exist by the end of the decade.

Essam el-Erian, who serves an advisor to Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, had attempted to dispel a recent controversy over comments he made in an interview last week, in which he invited Egyptian born Jews to return to the country.

Read more ....

My Comment: The way things are going .... he may be right.

In A Show Of Support To Hamas, Egypt's Prime Minister And Top Security Officials To Visit The Gaza Strip On Friday

Egyptian Delegation To Visit Besieged Gaza Strip -- Washington Post

CAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi ordered his prime minister and top security officials to visit the Gaza Strip on Friday to show support for Palestinian residents in the face of what he called an “unacceptable” bombing campaign by Israel.

State television said Thursday that Prime Minister Hesham Kandil would lead the high-level mission aimed at meeting the “urgent needs” of Gaza residents. News agencies reported that the team would also include Maj. Gen. Mohamed Raafat Shehata, Egypt’s intelligence chief, as well as the health minister and top Morsi aides. During their one-day visit, the Egyptians plan to meet with top Gaza officials and “show solidarity with the Palestinian people,” a cabinet officer told Reuters news agency.

Read more ....

My Comment: Egyptians apparently want their government to do more, but Jennifer Rubin has a must read post that explains the internal Egyptians dynamics that are now being played in this recent Israel - Hamas conflict.

Is Egypt Becoming A Dictatorship?

Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi speaks before watching a display of military maneuvers in the eastern Sinai, October 18, 2012. REUTERS/Egyptian Presidency/Handout

Israeli Official Sees "Shocking" Dictatorship In Egypt -- Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A senior Israeli official described Egypt's new government on Friday as a "shocking dictatorial force" and predicted there would be no high-level contacts between the two countries, but the Israeli government distanced itself from his comments.

The remarks by Amos Gilad, a top aide to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, were some of the harshest yet about the rise to prominence of Egypt's new Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, who was elected in June.

Speaking at a security conference, Gilad said the liberal forces behind the uprising which ousted former president Hosni Mubarak in 2011 had evaporated.

Read more ....

My Comment: What surprises me about this report is the revelation that there is no communication between the leaders of Israel and Egypt. That for all intents and purposes .... they are going their separate ways. Considering how tense the Sinai is becoming with terrorist cells moving into the region, coupled with the civil war in Syria, unrest in Lebanon, threats from Gaza, and unrest in Jordan .... you would think that someone in authority in Israel would be talking to someone in authority in Egypt .... but apparently not.

Update: The U.S. is also raising concerns.

Why Israel Is Worried About Egypt

Israel Rattled By Rise In Anti-Semitic Rhetoric From Egypt -- FOX News

HAIFA, Israel – The new tone coming out of Egypt - punctuated by President Mohammed Morsi mouthing "Amen" to an Imam's call for the destruction of Israel - is rattling residents of the Jewish state, who claim the Obama administration isn't taking the ratcheted-up rhetoric seriously.

Lip reading by the Anti Defamation League and the Middle East Media Research Institute confirmed Morsi's approval of a prayer delivered by influential Imam Futouh Abd Al-Nabi Mansour last Friday, in which he stated, “Oh Allah ... grant us victory over the infidels. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters.” Israelis already nervous by the rise of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood say it is the latest example of a disturbing trend.

Read more ....

Previous Post: Egyptian President Joins In Prayer For The Destruction Of Jews And Their Supporters

My Comment: When racists are in positions of power, any good rarely comes out of it. The Muslim Brotherhood leaders have never hidden their contempt for Jews and Christians .... and with significant popular support they now rule Egypt.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Calls For Jihad Against Israel

Members of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood including now-President Mohamed Morsi (3rdL) take part in a 2011 press conference (AFP/File)

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Chief Urges Jihad For Jerusalem -- Al Arabiya News

The supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi emanated, called on Thursday for a jihad (holy war) to liberate Jerusalem from Israeli rule.

“Jerusalem is Islamic ... and nobody is entitled to make concessions” on the Holy City, said Sheikh Mohammed Badie in his weekly message to supporters.

“The jihad for the recovery of Jerusalem is a duty for all Muslims,” he said, stressing that the liberation of the Holy City “will not be done through negotiations or at the United Nations.”

Read more ....

More News On The Heads Of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Calling For Jihad Against Israel

Egypt's Brotherhood heads urged jihad for Jerusalem -- France24/AFP
Muslim Brotherhood head calls for 'jihad' to liberate J'lem -- Jerusalem Post
‘Holy Jihad’ is the only way to deal with Israel, says Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood chief -- Times of Israel

My Comment: The Egyptian President's political base is the Muslim Brotherhood .... and they are now calling for war against Israel. Hmmm .... how much U.S. aid is Egypt suppose to receive this year .... and why is President Obama permitting it?

Egypt Vows To Respect Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty

Morsi's remarks at the NAM summit on Thursday caused unease among his Iranian hosts [Reuters]

Mohammed Morsi Vows To Respect Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty -- The Telegraph

Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s Islamist president, promised to respect his country’s historic peace treaty with Israel as he sought to burnish his credentials as a moderate.

The Egyptian leader used his first interview with the Western press since coming to power in June as a platform to rebut criticism that he intends to lead a reactionary regime inimical to both the United States and Israel.

With Israel among those most suspicious of his intentions, not least because of his longtime involvement in the Muslim Brotherhood, Mr Morsi seemed particularly eager to reassure Egypt’s western neighbour — even if he did not mention the Jewish state by name.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am starting to doubt Mohammed Morsi's intentions. He says one thing .... but does something else.

Egypt Positions Tanks In Violation Of Peace Treaty With Israel

A boy walks near army trucks carrying tanks and vehicles, expecting opposition against militants, arriving at Rafah city, some 350 km (217 miles) northeast of Cairo August 9, 2012. (Photo by REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

Israel Asks Egypt to Remove Tanks From Sinai -- New York Times

JERUSALEM — Israel is “troubled” by the entry of Egyptian tanks into the northern Sinai Peninsula without coordination with Israel, a violation of the terms of the 33-year-old peace treaty between the two countries, and has asked Egypt to withdraw them, an Israeli government official said Tuesday.

The Israeli request was conveyed within the last few days, the official said, adding that it was likely that the Obama administration had made a similar approach to Cairo.

The Israeli official was speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the fragility of Israel’s relations with Egypt, already strained by the recent upheavals there. The overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last year stripped Israel of a trusted regional ally.

Read more ....

More News On Israeli Concerns That Egypt Is Violating Their Peace Treaty

Israel asks Egypt to remove tanks -- UPI
Israel says Egypt violating peace treaty by moving tanks into demilitarized Sinai -- Chicago Tribune/AP
Israel voices worry over Egyptian tanks, troops in Sinai -- Global Post
Egyptian official calms fears over Sinai deployment -- YNet News
Egyptian official: Recent Sinai operation was fully coordinated with Israel -- Haaretz
Egypt must deal with Israel over Sinai action: US -- AFP
Israel Talking to Egypt Over Sinai Troop Movements -- ABC News/AP
Egypt Probes Israel's Limits In Anticipation of Treaty Talks -- Al-Monitor

Is Israel Expecting The New Egyptian Government To Close The Suez Canal To Israeli Shipping At Some Future Date?

Israel Takes Out Strategic Insurance Against Any Egyptian Threat To Its Global Shipping Lanes -- Leo Rennert, American Thinker

Israel and China have signed an agreement to build a railway connecting Israel's southernmost port of Eilat with its Mediterranean ports at Ashdod and Haifa.

The joint multi-billion dollar project will give commercial shipping a ready detour around the Suez canal for vessels heading from the Med to major sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and to ports of call in eastern Africa and southern Asia. And vice versa.

Read more ....

My Comment: Israel knows what the Muslim Brotherhood is all about. These measures are prudent and sensible .... especially if Egypt does impose sanctions against ships bound to Israel and/or leaving Israel at some future date and/or in the event of a conflict with a Muslim state (i.e. Iran).

Israel's Border With Egypt Tense After Recent Attacks

Border Violence Heightens Israeli Concerns About Egypt -- Christian Science Monitor

Gunman infiltrated Israel's border with Egypt this morning and ambushed two vehicles of Israeli Defense Ministry contractors tasked with building a border fence.

Violence along Israel's southern border with Egypt has flared up again, potentially heightening tensions between the two neighbors just weeks before the Egyptian military was supposed to hand over control to a new president.

Shortly before dawn today, a team of gunmen infiltrated Israel’s border with Egypt and ambushed two vehicles of Israeli Defense Ministry contractors tasked with building a border fence designed to prevent such attacks, leaving one worker dead. Two gunmen were killed in the ensuing crossfire with Israeli soldiers.

Read more ....

My Comment: With Egypt in complete turmoil, I guess the Israelis have figured out that protecting Israel is now very low on Egypt's priority list.

Egypt Halts Gas Supplies To Israel

Egypt's pipelines supplying Israel have faced numerous attacks in the last year

Egypt Scraps Israel Gas Supply Deal -- BBC

Egyptian officials say they have scrapped an agreement to supply Israel with natural gas.

Israel received around 40% of its gas supplies from Egypt and uses it to generate electricity.

The announcement comes after the cross-border pipeline suffered numerous sabotage attacks which cut supplies.

Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said the move was of "great concern", and overshadowed peace agreements between the countries.

Read more ....

More News On Egypt Terminating It's Gas Contract With Israel

Egypt ends natural-gas agreement with Israel -- Haaretz
Egypt cancels gas deal with Israel -- Reuters
Egypt Cancels Israel Gas Deal -- Wall Street Journal
Egypt company kills Israel natural gas supply deal -- Toronto Star/AP
Egypt scraps Israel gas accord -- AFP
Egypt scraps gas deal with Israel -- Deutsche Welle
Egyptians terminate gas flow to Israel -- Jerusalem Post

My Comment: Any predictions on when Egypt cancels the peace treaty.

Rocket Fire From The Sinai Hits The Israeli Resort Town Of Eilat

Rocket 'Fired From Egypt' Hits Israeli Red Sea Tourist Resort... As Security Is Stepped Up For Passover -- Daily Mail

* Eilat hit by missile 'fired from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula' this morning
* Resort set to host European Triathlon Championships later this month
* No-one injured in attack police believe carried out by Islamic militants
* 'Egypt's Sinai Peninsula turning into a terror zone', says Netanyahu

A popular Israeli tourist resort was hit by a rocket attack this morning.

The Red Sea destination of Eilat, hosting the European Triathlon Championships later this month, was already on high alert because of the upcoming Passover holiday which starts this weekend.

No-one was hurt in the attack, with police believing the missile was launched by Islamic militants from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Read more ....

More News On Rocket Fire From Sinai Hitting The Israeli Resort Town of Eilat

Popular Israel resort hit by rocket -- Press Association
Rocket fire from Egypt blamed for Israel city attack -- Euronews
Grad explodes near Eilat residential area; rocket apparently fired from Sinai -- Haaretz
Rocket Hits Israel Resort Town, No Injuries -- Time/AP
Rocket Fire Hits Eilat, Chief of Staff Holds Situation Assessment -- defpro
Israeli PM Vows to Punish Perpetrators of Rocket Attack on Eilat -- CRI English
Netanyahu: Sinai turning into terror hotbed -- YNet News
Netanyahu: Israel will target attackers -- UPI
Netanyahu: Israel will target those responsible for Eilat attack -- Haaretz

Egyptian Parliament: Israel Is Egypt’s No. 1 Enemy

People's Assembly Speaker Saad al-Katatni addresses the parliament in Cairo on January 23, 2012. Press TV

Egypt’s Islamist-Dominated Parliament Votes In Support Of Expelling Israel’s Ambassador -- Washington Post

CAIRO — Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament unanimously voted on Monday in support of expelling Israel’s ambassador in Cairo and halting gas exports to the Jewish state.

The motion is largely symbolic, because only the ruling military council can make such decisions, and it is not likely to impact Egypt’s relations with Israel. But it signals the seismic change in Egypt after the ouster of longtime leader and Israel ally Hosni Mubarak a year ago in a popular uprising that ended his 29 years in power.

Read more ....

Update #1: Egypt house votes to expel Israeli envoy -- Al Jazeera
Update #2: Egypt wants Israel's ambassador out -- Iol News
Update #3: Egypt's parliament wants Israel's ambassador out -- Huffington Post

My Comment: With Egypt's Presidential elections just around the corner, I predict every candidate will try to maneuver themselves to be the "most" anti-Israel candidate. Expect the rhetoric and actions to get worse before it gets 'better'.

Egypt's Gas Pipeline To Israel Is Attacked Again

Twin Blasts On Egypt Gas Pipeline -- CNN

The main gas pipeline sending supplies from Egypt to Jordan and Israel has been attacked, causing two large explosions, Egyptian officials say.

The blasts happened near the town of al-Arish in the north of the Sinai desert, sending flames high into the air, witnesses and local media say.

There have been frequent attacks on gas pipelines in the Sinai since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt sends nearly half its gas to Israel, in a much-criticised agreement.

Read more ....

My Comment: Either someone wants to get the contract to provide security for this pipeline .... or .... they just do not want Israel to get any gas at all. My prediction .... this will only push Israel to develop it's huge off-shore gas fields at a faster pace.