Despite tensions between Israel and Egypt over the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman toForeign Minister due to comments he previously made telling Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to “go to hell,” the controversial politician met with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman on his recent trip to Israel. Suleiman, potentially the next Egyptian president, also met with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. According to reports, the meetings improved relations, with officials on both sides reinforcing the strategic importance of the alliance. Prior to upcoming meetings with President Obama, officials also coordinated their priorities with both Israel and Egypt now attempting to curb Hezbollah and Iranian threats.
Meanwhile, Mubarak invited Netanyahu to Cairo in May, although stressed that the invitation does not extend to Lieberman. However, some reports indicate that Lieberman received a separate invitation to Cairo from Sulieman. Cairo remains the site where internal Palestinian reconcilliation negotiations, talks to free abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and cease-fire discussions between Israel and Hamas occur.
