Steinitz: Egypt is Preparing for Possible War with Israel

Arutz Sheva ^ | Dec 28, '05 / 27 Kislev 5766 | Scott Shiloh

[M. Espinola]

MK Yuval Shteinitz (Likud) says that Egypt’s arms buildup over the past few years has focused on the possibility of future war with Israel.

In a radio interview broadcast on Arutz 7’s Hebrew internet site Tuesday night, Shteinitz, a former professor of political science at Haifa University who chairs the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said that Egypt has already become a major supporter of terrorism against Israel.

Shteinitz said that Egypt has been allowing terrorist groups operating out of the Gaza district to smuggle missiles into Gaza. Those groups intend to use the missiles against Israeli targets.

In his estimation, 90% of the explosives used by the terrorist groups are brought in from Egypt.

Shteinitz explains that it is a mistake for Israel to view Syria as its principle enemy, while neglecting the Egyptian threat, primarily because Israel maintains diplomatic relations with Egypt.

The committee chairman said that weapons smuggled from Egypt has become so important to the Hamas, “if you would ask them what they would be willing to give up, assistance from Egypt or Syria, they would prefer to give up Syrian, but not Egyptian aid.”

The Egyptians, Shteinitz asserts, have kept to the peace agreements signed in 1978 as far as not engaging Israel in outright conflict. But on other levels, such as economic relations or stopping anti-Israel incitement, Egyptian compliance has been lacking.

graphics added

[M. Espinola]

Israel must watch her back in Gaza, in more ways then one. ("90% of the explosives used by the terrorist groups are brought in from Egypt")

[thoughtomator]

"Egypt preparing for war with Israel" = writing the concession speech

[mainepatsfan]

Talk about a standing headline.

[Semper Paratus]

It's 1966 all over again.

[strategofr]

""Egypt preparing for war with Israel" = writing the concession speech"

LOL! If Egypt attacks Israel it will be with US weapons. That could only be considered during a Democratic administration.

[InvisibleChurch]

It's the terror exported from these dimwit countries that keeps Israel's military sharp. That Egypt is going to crank up an army that hasn't fought in years and take on a country that is ready for anything is folly. But let 'em, I sez. Maybe they can get rid of Egypt once and for all.

[WatchYourself]

This could get interesting...

[johnny7]

Just a lull in the battle... a break to re-arm with western munitions.

[VanDeKoik]

Looks like Egypt is looking to unload some prime Sini property to Iseral again.

Maybe this time Iseral wont give it back.

[cynicom]

Egypt is looking for a raise in their yearly welfare check from the United States.

[GunnyHartman]

This time, don't give it back!

[thoughtomator]

They may have some US weapons but they can't escape the utter ruin that necessarily flows from an Arab-culture command and control.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yup, all the way to the Suez.

Egypt has already become a major supporter of terrorism against Israel.

Paid for by American tax dollars. .....to the tune of $2 billion/yr.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I think this article is over the top. I suppose such paranoia is part of the mideast for Israel. I think the Egyptians cannot control what is going on in their own country (Sinai desert).

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking the keyword Israel.

..................

[Mr. Mojo]

That's paid for with American tax dollars.

Long past time we cut them off.

[YOUGOTIT]

Surely you jest. The military of Egypt has been defeated at least twice by Israel. I do not think the Egyptian military would like to lose its standing with its people when the cities are demolished and starvation becomes rampant. They are doing quite well now, the only way I think that a war would happen is if radical Islamic takes over the country and one would hope that the Egyptian military would prevent that.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It's 1966 all over again.

Remember the 1973 Yom Kippur War? Israel came within a hair's breadth of losing. They may not be so lucky this time.

[HamiltonJay]

IN an open war, Israel will route the Egyptian Army in weeks.... Arab Militaries, are an abject joke... A platoon of Gomer Piles is more useful in combat.

[Little Ray]

This might not be entirely a bad thing.

Egypt will be more formidable, thanks to us, but, assuming the Israelis win, maybe they will finally ditch the "road-map to oblivion" expel the the Palis and annex Gaza, the West Bank, Golan, and even the Sinai. If they win, I hope the dictate the terms of peace with their tanks parked in Damascus and Cairo.

Beating the Egyptians is, unfortunately, not a sure thing. The Egyptians have modern American arms and have been training with US troops (the Bright Star exercises). They may be better than ever.

[Thermalseeker]

Long past time we cut them off.

Egypt is but one entry in a long list under that category.....

[GunnyHartman]

"Paid for by American tax dollars. .....to the tune of $2 billion/yr."

It truly amazes me that a "country" that has been around for thousands of years needs aid from a country that has been around for a mere 229.

[ShadowAce]

They may not be so lucky this time.

It's not luck.

[epow]

The current crop of Egyptian military geniuses must be too young to remember Egypt's last 2 disastrous attacks on Israel in 1967 and 1973. The only thing that saved Egypt from a total wipeout in '73 was the USSR's threat to intervene if Nixon didn't call off the Israeli tank columns which were rolling toward Cairo with nothing in between to stop them.

Some folks are just too dumb to leave well enough alone.

[M. Espinola]

Well, you know after 67 and 73 maybe those military geniuses in Cairo are looking for the old three strikes and your out! :)

[M. Espinola]

"Egypt preparing for war with Israel" = writing the concession speech

It might be a real brief speech, as in "we surrender".

[Yasotay]

I still remember listening at West Point to the Israeli general who had scars from the 3rd degree burns over most of his body that were caused when his armored brigade was destroyed by the Egyptian Army and then listening later to the Egyptian general that destroyed his brigade. While the current PM of Israel did a great job .... Israeli tank columns weren't rolling towards Cairo ....

[M. Espinola]

"It's 1966 all over again."

It really is except this time around there are hordes of jihadist death cults (Hamas.Hizballah,Islamic Jihad. The threat from Lebanon would/is from Iranian-Syrian backed Hizballah. Syria is under the son & leftover hacks of the one who lost against Israel a few times, the father. Iraq is out of the picture. Jordan better sit this one out or the East Bank may become part of the West Bank. Egypt may believe another sneak attack as in 73 is possible since their agents are in Gaza supplying "friends". - they should recall 67 & 73. Russia is supporting old "allies". Radical terrorist exporting Iran is the wild card, in serious need of a brand new pro-freedom government.

[unionblue83]

Ah, yes, the French Treaty clause---always a favorite with the froggies.

[Malesherbes]

The sad reality is that Israel is surrounded by enemies. Both Egypt and Jordan are simply in temporary "remission" awaiting a change in the political climate which will inevitably come. What is amazing to me is that despite the everlasting stress the Israelis continue to construct a productive and increasingly advanced technological society that per capita rivals any in the world.

[M. Espinola]

"This time, don't give it back!"

Absolutely correct, Gunny!

Each time Israel withdraws from land won in battle against Arab/Islamic attackers, the attackers return.

For the sake of national survival

[newcthem]

Yes and hopefully for the sake of the civilized world the the Palestinians will be directly in the line of fire.

[SmithL]

Or rename Sanai Palestine.

[bmwcyle]

The middle east will attack soon.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Suez or bust!

[NY Attitude]

If the Egyptians lose, they will just contact Condi to get it back. /sarcasm

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!

[Former Proud Canadian]

I might be dating myself, but Egypt didn't do very well in '48 or '56 either.

[RightWhale]

Looks like an interesting map. Can't quite make it out. What is happening on it?

[ridesthemiles]

The current crop of Egyptian military geniuses must be too young to remember Egypt's last 2 disastrous attacks on Israel in 1967 and 1973. The only thing that saved Egypt from a total wipeout in '73 was the USSR's threat to intervene if Nixon didn't call off the Israeli tank columns which were rolling toward Cairo with nothing in between to stop them.
Some folks are just too dumb to leave well enough alone.""

Sorta like poking a stick at a rattlesnake.....

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I guess you attribute their success to divine intervention, like the Spanish Armada or the "Divine Wind". Such intercessions are only obvious a posteri. I grant you that man for man, the Israelis are better than any Arab foe, but not all that much better, the quality gap is narrowing and the numerical gap is growing. Being in possesion of the Sinai Penulsa and Golan Heights would offer the Israelis strategic advantages. The lesson of the Yom Kippur war should be to never surrender strategic advantage for promises of reduced belligerence or favorable "world opinion".

[bmwcyle]

click here

[epow]

Israeli tank columns weren't rolling towards Cairo ....

Not arguing with you since you got your info from the horses mouth so to speak, but I do remember reading back then that the Israelis were across the canal and that there was little the Egyptians could do to stop them from going on to Cairo if they wanted to. Maybe that was just due to reporter ignorance, but it was widely reported at the time.

[Bon mots]

What is amazing to me is that despite the everlasting stress the Israelis continue to construct a productive and increasingly advanced technological society that per capita rivals any in the world.

Yup.
Israel's GDP per capita is still more than double that of Saudi Arabia's - even though the Saudis have most of the world's oil and prices have just doubled again. Israel has virtually NO NATURAL RESOURCES. Only smart people.

Imagine what they would be capable of if they weren't shackled by Socialism...

[RightWhale]

Haven't heard from Jack van Impe or his fox wife since I turned off my TV years ago.

[BushMeister]

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to sell Egypt those 880 Abrams Tanks.

[M. Espinola]

"I think this article is over the top. I suppose such paranoia is part of the mideast for Israel. I think the Egyptians cannot control what is going on in their own country (Sinai desert)."

Paranoia? Most Israel's vividly recall Egypt sending her armies across the Sinai attempting to "drive the Jews into the Sea". That's like saying Israelis are just unnecessarily paranoid about Iran's "Nuke Boy" Ahmadinejad's ranting & raving "the Holocaust never happened", and his sickening, demented publicly stated intention to "wipe Israel off the map". There's a term for that, it's called "genocide"

If you want to review something beyond being over the top, check out the vicious in the Egyptian Media. Some of the worst anti-Jewish, Nazi style attacks are there for all Egyptians to feed on.

The anti-Semitic Egyptian TV series

Anti-Semitic Cartoons in the Arab Media

Cartoons of Hate

[bmwcyle]

They are still alive and kicking.

[ShadowAce]

Being in possesion of the Sinai Penulsa and Golan Heights would offer the Israelis strategic advantages. The lesson of the Yom Kippur war should be to never surrender strategic advantage for promises of reduced belligerence or favorable "world opinion".

I totally agree with these points.

I guess you attribute their success to divine intervention,...

Yes, and also to the fact that their military is orders of magnitude smarter than their enemy.

Such intercessions are only obvious a posteri.

Not necessarily. In the next war, there will also be (an) intercession(s).

[RightWhale]

That's good. They seemed to be getting more than the usual kick out of keeping track of the coming apocalypse.