Egypt's interim vice president expresses support for Kerry's efforts towards a two-state solution and says Israel has opportunity for normalized relations with post-Mubarak Egypt - if they change policy on Palestinians.
By Haaretz | Aug. 3, 2013 | 1:54 PM
Mohammed ElBaradei. Photo by AP
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2In an interview with the Washington Post on Friday, Egypt's interim vice president Mohamed ElBaradei asserted his support for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a "real peace" between Egypt and Israel.
El-Baradei, who is the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nobel Peace Laureate, became interim vice president following the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi last month. He called to halt the violence and dialogue with the Muslim Brotherhood, insisting they should be part of the political process.
Asked about Egypt's relationship with Israel, Baradei asserted that Israel now has the opportunity to forge a peace agreement with a post-Mubarak Egypt – but conditioned that upon a change in policy towards the Palestinians.
"We need to make sure that there is really a real peace with the Israelis. They have an opportunity, frankly, right now. In the past, they had peace with Mubarak, not with the Egyptians. Now is an opportunity for them, and I hope they grab that opportunity to have a peace with the Egyptians. But that requires that they make certain major adjustments to their policy with the Palestinians."
ElBaradei also he supports the renewal of negotiations between Israeli and Palestinians led by Kerry, and that it could open the door for comprehensive peace in the Middle East. "Kerry’s talks are based on a two-state solution and all the basic pillars of Bill Clinton’s outline done in the last week of his presidency. Once we get that, then I think the road is open for normalization of relations with Israelis and a comprehensive peace in the region," ElBaradei told the Washington Post.
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