As Israel considers involving Egyptian troops in the aftermath of a withdrawal from Gaza, a United States Congressman warns of Egypt’s intentions.
Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the ranking Democrat in the House International Relations Committee, says that Egypt is building up its military in preparation for a future war with Israel. He announced this week that he plans to introduce legislation that will reduce and eventually eliminate the $1.3 billion Egypt receives annually in US military aid.
Lantos said Egypt has engaged in a military build-up even amid a decrease of threats from its neighbors, Middle East Newsline reported. "Egyptian military exercises are ominously geared toward an Israeli enemy that doesn't obviously exist," he said, adding that Egypt’s threatening behavior is "a policy choice” of the Mubarak regime. According to the report, Israeli military sources have reported that Egyptian war games consistently feature the IDF as the enemy force.
"I intend to support the Egyptian people by introducing legislation to phase out military assistance for Egypt over the next three years," Lantos said. His bill would see the $1.3 billion in annual US military aid converted to economic assistance.
Lantos pointed out that Egypt recently supplemented its navy with 11 new battle units, in addition to other weapons procurements - despite the fact that Egypt has no serious enemies in the region.
Several times since Israel's founding in 1948, Egypt, together with other Arab nations, has launched war against Israel, accompanied by vows to annihilate the Jewish State. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Shortly following the start of the PA’s Oslo War in September 2000, Egypt recalled its ambassador in an act of protest over Israel’s “aggressions against the Palestinians.” The ambassador has not yet been returned.
Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the ranking Democrat in the House International Relations Committee, says that Egypt is building up its military in preparation for a future war with Israel. He announced this week that he plans to introduce legislation that will reduce and eventually eliminate the $1.3 billion Egypt receives annually in US military aid.
Lantos said Egypt has engaged in a military build-up even amid a decrease of threats from its neighbors, Middle East Newsline reported. "Egyptian military exercises are ominously geared toward an Israeli enemy that doesn't obviously exist," he said, adding that Egypt’s threatening behavior is "a policy choice” of the Mubarak regime. According to the report, Israeli military sources have reported that Egyptian war games consistently feature the IDF as the enemy force.
"I intend to support the Egyptian people by introducing legislation to phase out military assistance for Egypt over the next three years," Lantos said. His bill would see the $1.3 billion in annual US military aid converted to economic assistance.
Lantos pointed out that Egypt recently supplemented its navy with 11 new battle units, in addition to other weapons procurements - despite the fact that Egypt has no serious enemies in the region.
Several times since Israel's founding in 1948, Egypt, together with other Arab nations, has launched war against Israel, accompanied by vows to annihilate the Jewish State. Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Shortly following the start of the PA’s Oslo War in September 2000, Egypt recalled its ambassador in an act of protest over Israel’s “aggressions against the Palestinians.” The ambassador has not yet been returned.