Britain this week expressed optimism that the new Egyptian President would honour the long-existing peace treaty with Israel, despite reports that Mohammed Mursi had stated it was under "review".
In an interview published by an Iranian news agency on Monday, Muslim Brotherhood leader Mursi was quoted as saying his government would "reconsider the Camp David Accord" and that better relations with Iran "will create a balance of pressure in the region, and this is part of my programme". He was also quoted as saying that the issue of Palestinian refugees returning to homes and families abandoned in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and the 1967 Six-Day War "is very important".
In contrast, in his victory speech in Cairo on Sunday night Mursi, who secured a majority of the vote in a run-off including against ex-prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, said he carries "a message of peace" to the world and pledged to preserve Egypt's international accords, which includes the peace treaty with Israel dating back to 1979.A Foreign Office spokesman, taking at face value the Egyptian leader's claim that the quotes attributed to him by the Iranian agency were incorrect, told the Jewish News: "We have been encouraged by statements from Mursi about respecting international agreements and want Egypt to continue to act as a force for regional peace and stability, including by maintaining a productive relationship with Israel."
However, he added: "The true test of any new government is how they act in office; whether they uphold human rights and govern on behalf of all their citizens, and ultimately whether they are prepared to surrender power through the ballot box in elections of the future. We will judge them by their actions."
A Zionist Federation spokesman said: "We support the democratic process and hope he respects the existing peace treaty which has been in place for more than 30 years.
"In truth, the election victory came against two worse options, but it was democratic and that's important. Hopefully he will form a positive government and there will be a positive approach to Israel. But he has not even set up government and Israel is not the number one priority. We hope that when it comes to actions - not just words - he will be true to the treaty."
Prime Minister David Cameron, who wrote to Mursi to congratulate him on his party's victory, emphasised he was "looking forward to working with the new government on issues of common interest for the peace and stability of the region".
Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.
Source: http://totallyjewish.com/news/national/c-18370/mursi-urged-to-honour-peace-treaty-with-israel/
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