Egypt acts according to Israel’s demands
Interview with Iran’s former ambassador to Lebanon
While Gaza’s plight is deteriorating day by day, Egypt still insists on keeping the Rafah border cross blocked. Among many other problems, this adds to the tensions between Iran and Egypt. Following comes our interview with Masoud Edrisi, Iran’s former ambassador to Lebanon:
Following the situation in Gaza, Seyyed Hassan Nasrullah has asked the Egyptian people to open the Rafah border cross [themselves]. Egypt has condemned his statements, plus criticizing Iran’s stance on this event. What do you think is the reason for Egypt’s behavior while all groups are trying to reach a joint decision [on Gaza’s situation]?
I think on Palestine and Gaza, Egyptians act according to Israel’s demands. That’s why at the present time when all Middle East countries and Muslim countries are holding demonstrations, one of their targets is the Egyptian embassies. We heard about Yemenis demonstrating in front of the Egyptian consulate. These are the consequences of Egypt’s regional policy. Egypt is committing a grave crime. Not only didn’t they help Palestinians, but they made problems for them and by blocking the Rafah border crossing they’re helping the Israelis. So Muslims’ reactions, including Nasrullah’s speech aren’t odd,.
On the other hand, Egypt has asked Iran about its role in provoking Hamas. What do you think about this claim?
I believe that because of their frail position the Egyptians are trying to evade by drawing unrealistic matters forward, like speaking of Iran’s taking advantage of the Palestine and Hamas story. I don’t believe this; Iran has always defended the Palestinian cause. The way Egyptians have dealt the problem of Palestine hasn’t been acceptable and to justify their behavior, they make such claims.
What is the significance of the recent events? Considering that Iran had taken the lead to normalize relations with Egypt.
Unfortunately during the recent years the Egyptians have shown that despite their occasional positive remarks on restoring relations with Iran, they’re not really wishing for that to happen. Of course Egyptian statesmen and especially the Egyptian foreign ministry (in past, not now) were inclined to restart relations with Iran. But the security forces of Egypt have always been an obstacle against normalization of ties, always having their baseless worries. Even during great leaps were taken Khatami’s presidency towards reestablishing ties, but security officials who are the final arbiter in Egypt stopped that.
What are their worries?
They think that Iran’s influence on the opposition groups in Egypt will jeopardize national security if the relations become normal. I think that is a pointless idea.
Didn’t the movie "Pharaoh’s Execution" add to Egyptians hostility?
Definitely. That was not something pleasant for Egyptians for sure. Anwar Sadat was president of Egypt after all and such moves not only do not help to solve the problem between the countries, but in fact benefit their enemies.
How do you see the prospect of Iran-Egypt relations?
I think it’s at the rock bottom since the revolution –of course except the first two years after the revolution-. It’s not a normal relation.