Netanyahu to Morsi: Maintaining peace is in interest of both countries

In a personal letter sent last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the newly-elected president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, that he expects the new Egyptian government to respect the existing peace treaty with Israel.

Netanyahu urged Morsi to continue the cooperation that has existed since the Camp David accords ended the state of war between the two countries 33 years ago, emphasizing that “the peace treaty is in the interest of both countries and contributes to regional stability,” Maariv reported.

In his letter, Netanyahu praised the democratic process in Egypt and reiterated that Israel respects and accepts the decision of the Egyptian people in electing Morsi to the presidency.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi was sworn in on Saturday as Egypt’s first freely elected president. In his first major address upon taking office, Morsi said that his administration will continue to honor its international treaties — seen as a reference to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty signed in 1979, though he did not mention Israel by name.

Morsi also vowed to defend and protect his country’s borders from all outside threats.

Relations between Israel and Egypt have become particularly tense since last year’s overthrow of Morsi’s predecessor, Hosni Mubarak, who had forged close security ties with the Jewish state during his 29-year rule.

The Times of Israel staff and AP contributed to this report.