Israel's Foreign Ministry says that Egypt has appointed a new ambassador to the Jewish state, choosing an experienced career diplomat in what may be an encouraging sign for future relations between the two countries. Atef Salem el-Ahl served as consul in the Israeli town of Eilat prior to his appointment. Israel's ministry and Egypt's state media confirmed the appointment Sunday. The choice of an envoy familiar with Israel counters fears there that relations with Cairo could be downgraded. President Mohammed Morsi has been cooler to Israel than his ousted predecessor Hosni Mubarak. The group from which Morsi comes, the Muslim Brotherhood, has called for a review of the historic 1979 peace accord between the two nations.
