Dina Ezzat outlines the likely impact of the Gaza withdrawal on Egyptian-Israeli relations It is an open secret that Tel Aviv is hoping for a positive -- and quick -- Egyptian response to last week's Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. During recent Egyptian-Israeli talks over the details of the deployment of 750 Egyptian troops on the Rafah-Gaza borders Israeli officials, both military and diplomatic, stressed their desire for warmer relation between Cairo and Tel Aviv. The most pressing Israeli demand now is for President Hosni Mubarak to undertake an official visit to Israel, something he has avoided since coming to office in 1981. Mubarak has repeatedly said he will visit Israel only if it serves to promote a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Nor is it clear how accepting an invitation from Ariel Sharon, a man associated in the minds of the Egyptian public with the slaughter of Egyptian soldiers and Palestinian refugees, will play domestically. The only time Mubarak has visited Israel was in 1995, to attend the funeral of former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. "This was not a visit as such. He was there for a few hours, with a host of other world leaders, for the funeral of Rabin who was killed by an extremist Israeli," said one Egyptian diplomat. President Mubarak, he added, admired Rabin's "ability to make peace" and wanted to pay his last respects. The time has now come, say Israeli officials -- including, sources say, Sharon -- for a real visit by President Mubarak in which he would be received by Israel's prime minister and even hold a joint press conference. Israeli officials argue that as Israel's oldest peace partner Egypt has responsibilities that cannot be fulfilled if Mubarak continues to reject the idea of an official visit. "What about your coming visit to Israel, Mr President? Is there someone or somewhere specific that you intend to visit in Israel?" Yediot Ahronot 's correspondent asked Mubarak in an interview last week. "I have not thought about this matter. I am now in the middle of presidential elections that will be followed by parliamentary elections. I am currently very busy. Yes, I would like to visit Israel, but at the right time," replied Mubarak. "I have an invitation to attend a ceremony marking the anniversary of the assassination of Rabin and I hope that the course of events will allow me to accept this invitation. I greatly appreciated Rabin." Egyptian presidential sources reveal the invitation was received two months ago and the president has yet to issue any directives on the matter. Given that Mubarak has always insisted that any visit to Israel would have to push peace efforts forward, Egyptian diplomats say the final decision on accepting the invitation will depend on whether or not the Palestinians and Israelis enter into constructive peace talks. "This will weigh heavily on Mubarak's decision," stressed one diplomat. In his interview with Yediot Ahronot Mubarak said the withdrawal from Gaza cannot be Israel's only withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967. It is now time, he said, for Israel to enter into negotiations with Palestinians over occupied territories in the West Bank and the borders between Israel and the future Palestinian state. While sources suggest that Cairo understands the Israeli prime minister might not want to enter immediately into peace negotiations it remains important that Israel avoids the impression that it is seeking to restrict Palestinian autonomy to the Gaza Strip. That, they say, would be a nightmare scenario, prompting frustration and violence that will inevitably spill over into Egypt and Israel. The point has been repeatedly stressed by Egyptian officials in talks with their Israeli, American and European counterparts, and is likely to be discussed by Mubarak and Sharon during the latter's visit to Sharm El-Sheikh, tentatively scheduled for late October or early November. Meanwhile, Egypt is considering sending a high level delegation -- headed by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman -- to Gaza and Israel. Palestinian sources in Cairo say the visit will serve as a wake-up call to Israel in the post-Gaza withdrawal phase. Cairo shares Palestinian concerns over the complications that will ensue should Israel target leaders of Islamist militant resistance groups or retaliate against resistance in the West Bank with assaults on Palestinian leaders in Gaza. Egypt and the Palestinians are also concerned over whether or not Palestinians in Gaza will be allowed free and safe access to the West Bank and, indeed, the rest of the world. In statements made on Sunday in Cairo following talks with Foreign Minister Abul-Gheit, Palestinian National Security Adviser Jebril Al-Rajoub stressed that should Gazans be denied such access resistance activities are likely to escalate. Egypt, said Rajoub, "has a crucial role to play in this matter and in securing a clear political horizon for future talks". Cairo, keen to show some good will gesture in the wake of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, is currently assessing its options, says one source. Israeli officials have requested that Egypt act to encourage Arab capitals to be more responsive to Israeli interests and establish trade and diplomatic ties, and at the same time be more open about their own interests in reaching out to Israel. It is a request Egypt is unlikely to meet in any direct fashion. Egyptian officials say that while they will not call on any capital to establish relations with Israel they will argue that, in light of the Gaza withdrawal, it could be useful to "encourage Sharon" to move further forward, even if this does not involve immediate withdrawals from the West Bank. The issue, say Egyptian diplomats, is likely to be discussed at 6 September Arab League meeting of foreign ministers when Egypt will outline a holistic approach to supporting the Palestinians that will inevitably include Israel's wish to pursue some form of contact with Arab capitals. Cairo, sources stress, is not asking any Arab country to formalise relations with Israel; rather, it is reviewing the scope of already existing Arab-Israeli relations -- declared or not. For their part Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders have repeatedly requested Cairo to refrain from encouraging any Arab-Israeli rapprochement, arguing that Israel withdrew from Gaza as a result of resistance activities and not as a good will gesture towards peace. Egyptian and Arab commentators have for the most part followed the same line, warning that normalisation with Israel should only happen when final status issues are settled. The future of Egyptian and overall Arab relations with Israel post the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and other issues related to the pullout were discussed yesterday morning by President Mubarak and visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas also discussed the same issues with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.
