Suleiman: Israel could move into Sinai

Presidential candidate thinks Israel may be starting to feel Egypt is becoming an enemy

Egyptian presidential candidate Omar Suleiman suggested that Israel may consider expanding control into Sinai, Ynet reported Sunday night. Suleiman was quoted in the report as having made the comments in an interview that appeared on the website Yom al-Saba. “I suspect that Israel thinks Egypt has entered the camp of her enemies,” he said.

The report noted Suleiman’s reference to the situation in Sinai and the relationship between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Suleiman was said to have explained Israel’s interest in Sinai as relating to its security needs. “The Israelis relate to Sinai as an unsafe area, and feel that, among other things, Egyptian territory is being used to launch missiles.” The report said that due to these factors Israel may consider “returning” to safer borders – a clear reference to Sinai.

In August, 2011, a terror attack emanating from Sinai resulted in the deaths of eight Israelis. In early April of this year two rockets were fired into Eilat from Sinai.