Netanyahu holds first official meeting with Egypt’s al-Sissi

Among the Israeli prime minister’s diplomatic engagements in New York was his first official meeting with Egypt’s president. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the first official meeting between the two leaders.

The two had previously met, but the meetings were secret and not documented by the media.

In New York this week, the two leaders met for an hour and a half, discussing various regional issues.

Al-Sissi expressed his desire to facilitate the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians, Israeli officials said.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri, Head of General Intelligence Khaled Fawzi and Chief of Staff Abbas Kamel.

In a press statement, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said that al-Sissi stressed during his meeting with Netanyahu “the importance that Egypt attaches to the efforts to resume negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides” in order to reach a “just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.”

Netanyahu also held several other diplomatic meetings in New York.

He met with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and discussed with him the importance that Israel ascribes to strengthening bilateral cooperation as well as the considerable potential of such cooperation. The two leaders exchanged mutual invitations to visit.

Netanyahu then met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and discussed with him the strengthening of economic cooperation with emphasis on cyber security and the opening of direct air lines between the two countries.

The Israeli premier also met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and discussed deepening cooperation with a third country. The two met in Israel in July.

By: World Israel News Staff

EgyptEl-SissiIsraeli diplomacyNetanyahu