TEL AVIV - Following situational assessments of deteriorating conditions on the streets of Cairo, Israeli military leaders are extending messages of support to their Egyptian counterparts and pledges to preserve the 31-year peace between the two countries.
"Based on our assessment of events on the ground, it's our understanding that the Egyptian Army is operating responsibly and in a manner that contributes to stability and preserves future peace," Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu, Israeli military spokesman, told Defense News.
In a Feb. 3 interview, Benayahu said assessments conducted in Tel Aviv in recent hours indicate that the Egyptian Army has been handling violence among demonstrators with restraint as it attempts to restore calm among peaceful demonstrators.
"The Egyptian Army is working to preserve stability and is operating as much as possible in a manner of restraint," Benayahu said.
He added, "Our peace with Egypt is a strategic asset of supreme importance to the government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, and I'm sure also to the people of Egypt. … Egypt is not an enemy of Israel, but rather a large and influential country with whom we hope our peaceful relations will ensure forever."
Egyptian anti-government demonstrators battle pro-government opponents in Cairo's Tahrir square on Feb. 3. (Mohammed Abed / Agence France-Presse)
In a Feb. 3 interview, Benayahu said assessments conducted in Tel Aviv in recent hours indicate that the Egyptian Army has been handling violence among demonstrators with restraint as it attempts to restore calm among peaceful demonstrators.
"The Egyptian Army is working to preserve stability and is operating as much as possible in a manner of restraint," Benayahu said.
He added, "Our peace with Egypt is a strategic asset of supreme importance to the government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, and I'm sure also to the people of Egypt. … Egypt is not an enemy of Israel, but rather a large and influential country with whom we hope our peaceful relations will ensure forever."
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