Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday and thanked him for thwarting a terrorist plot. Egyptian forces recently arrested terrorists who had planned to murder Israeli ambassador to Egypt Shalom Cohen.
The terrorists had also planned to bomb the Israeli embassy in Egypt.
Netanyahu and Mubarak also discussed regional issues, including Israel's negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Mubarak plans to visit the United States in two weeks, and Netanyahu is reportedly trying to reach a joint statement before that time.
Several members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai, have warned in recent days that the harshly anti-Israel rhetoric heard from PA leaders during the ongoing Fatah conference shows that there is little chance for Israel-PA peace.
In addition to coordinating their stances regarding PA talks, Netanyahu and Mubarak are believed to have discussed negotiations for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Egyptian mediators have worked with Israel and Hamas in an attemt to secure a prisoner release deal.
Despite their efforts, senior Hamas terrorist Mahmoud A-Zahar said this week that there has been no progress in negotiations. Hamas has refused to drop any of its demands, and continues to insist that Israel release over 1,000 terrorists, including many convicted of multiple counts of murder.
Netanyahu has sent National Security Advisor Uzi Arad to Cairo, where he is expected to meet with senior Egyptian officials and discuss policy as well.