Israel Shaken as Turbulence Rocks an Ally

[Catherina]

Israel Shaken as Turbulence Rocks an Ally
By ETHAN BRONNER
Published: January 30, 2011


JERUSALEM — The street revolt in Egypt has thrown the Israeli government and military into turmoil, with top officials closeted in round-the-clock strategy sessions aimed at rethinking their most significant regional relationship.

Israel’s military planning relies on peace with Egypt; nearly half the natural gas it uses is imported from Egypt; and the principle of trading conquered land for diplomatic ties began with its 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt more than with any other foreign leader, except President Obama. If Mr. Mubarak were driven from power, the effect on Israel could be profound.

“For the United States, Egypt is the keystone of its Middle East policy,” a senior official said. “For Israel, it’s the whole arch.”

...

There has long been concern that popular sentiment in Egypt is anti-Israel. Eli Shaked, a former Israeli ambassador to Cairo, wrote in the Yediot Aharonot newspaper, “The only people in Egypt who are committed to peace are the people in Mubarak’s inner circle, and if the next president is not one of them, we are going to be in trouble.”

...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/world/middleeast/31israel.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. Everyone laughed and ridiculed me when I said the US was at war

with the entire ME. I think what has happened in the last few weeks has proved my point. These people are tired of the oppression that has become a cornerstone of our foriegn policy in this corner of the world.
We have either oppressed them with our military or our "aid" to our "friends".

[Catherina]

2. We were indeed. We still are. We're panicked beyond words right now n/t