Egypt: Cairo Government Under Pressure Over Gaza

Trouble in Cairo: the Egyptian Government has been facing criticism for its opposition to the entry of 1400 international members of the Gaza Freedom March into the territory and its construction of an iron wall between the border of Gaza and Rafah in Egypt, trying to prevent smuggling tunnels under the 14-kilometre (9-mile) frontier.

On 22 December, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit defended the wall as a defense "against threats to national security". Eight days later, he reiterated, "What Egypt is doing is placing structures on its territory related to Egyptian defense." Meanwhile, Egypt's upper house of parliament, the Shura Council, endorsed the government's security measures in northern Sinai and along the border.

Israel’s “Grand Strategy”: Build More and More Settlements

Cairo also announced on Tuesday that only 100 internationalists would be given permission to cross the border. The Egypt Government also gave way to the 450 members of the Viva Palestina convoy, who are moving from Damascus to Egypt's El-Arish port, from where the group expects to enter Gaza.

Middle East Inside Line: Egypt & Israel Hope on "Peace Process" with Palestine

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from meetings in Cairo  with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Netanyahu said, "I was very encouraged by the commitment of President  Mubarak toward promoting the peace process between us and the Palestinians. I expect and hope to see such readiness on part of the Palestinian Authority."

In Cairo, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised Netanyahu and his proposal on restarting peace talks with the Palestinians. despite the Israeli decision to build 700 more apartments in East Jerusalem. Gheit said, "I can't talk about details, but the prime minister was discussing positions that surpass in our estimate what we've heard from them in a long time. I can't say that he has come with changed positions, but he is moving forward."

Israel-Palestine: Foreign Minister Lieberman “No Peace for 10-20 Years”
Israel: 700 More Apartments in East Jerusalem Despite US Objections

Today on EA - Monday 21 December 2009

Iran: Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's funeral, attended by hundreds of thousands, dominates the news. Our liveblog will keep you up to date with the news, and we have video footage from the funeral in Qom and demonstrations in other cities. There is also video and English translation of an interview with Montazeri's son Saeed, speaking about his late father's last words and views.

A guest blog from Iran Review offers an in-depth look at Tehran's current perspective on nuclear talks.

Israel: Following a meeting with Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, Israel's Foreign Minister Lieberman made the stunning statement:  "Egypt has more to fear from Iran than we do".

Israel/Palestine: Ali Yenidunya reveals that Hamas "provided evidence" for the British arrest warrant for Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni.

Israel: Lieberman "Egypt Has More to Fear from Iran than We Do"

On Sunday, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman met Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer.

Barak said: "We're always happy to see him. I hope we have fruitful talks here." He and Suleiman talked about the "central role" of Egypt in talks with Palestinians, Egypt's wall on  the Gaza border preventing smuggling, the Iranian "threat",  and the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The most striking part of the visit came true at the end of the meeting between Lieberman and Suleiman. Lieberman stated that "Egypt has more to fear from Iran than we do." He added, "The greatest danger in the Middle East today is Iran, which is a greater threat to moderate Arab nations than to Israel. Tehran is attempting to duplicate the model of Hezbollah in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen."