Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made headlines across the Arab world and beyond on Monday when he used the term “enemy” to describe Israel during his closing remarks at the emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha, Qatar. The statement marked the first time an Egyptian president has publicly used such language since before the landmark peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
“We must change our posture so that the enemy sees us differently,” President Sisi declared, addressing fellow leaders and dignitaries at the summit convened to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis and military violence in Gaza. “Let the enemy understand that an Arab state, stretching from the ocean to the Gulf, under the umbrella of the Islamic world, is not to be underestimated.”
The comments quickly sparked widespread attention on social media and in political circles, with many observers interpreting the statement as a significant recalibration of Egypt’s official rhetoric regarding Israel. President Sisi’s comments, were what was the obvious feeling among all Egyptians.
A Break from Decades of Diplomatic Language
Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service and a prominent journalist, noted the historic weight of President Sisi’s choice of words. “The last time an Egyptian leader referred to Israel as ‘the enemy’ was in 1977, before President Anwar Sadat announced his intention to visit Jerusalem,” Rashwan said. “Since then, no Egyptian president has used that term until now.”
He emphasized that President Sisi, known for his measured tone, chose his words deliberately. “If the president describes Israel as an ‘enemy,’ it’s because Egypt’s national security is under threat. Friends do not endanger your national security. This is a very deliberate message.”
Rashwan also underscored Sisi’s firm stance on the potential forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, calling it “a red line that Egypt will not tolerate under any circumstances.”
Reactions: “An Earthquake in Israeli Politics”
The speech reverberated across both Arabic and Israeli media landscapes. Egyptian commentators and social media users hailed President Sisi’s remarks as a powerful statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“Two words from President Sisi shook the Israeli establishment,” wrote one commentator on X (formerly Twitter). “Calling Israel the ‘enemy’ is a clear warning that the peace Israel relies on is not unconditional.”
Others noted that this rhetorical shift could foreshadow more significant political consequences. “When the Egyptian president warns that current developments threaten the peace agreement, he’s signaling that Egypt considers the Camp David Accords at risk,” wrote another user. “Continued Israeli aggression and policies of displacement could render those agreements meaningless and reignite unresolved historical tensions.”
A New Egyptian Posture?
Political analysts believe President Sisi’s statement may reflect a broader evolution in Egypt’s regional role. With Arab and Islamic pressure mounting on Israel over the war in Gaza, Cairo appears to be repositioning itself as a stronger voice in defending Palestinian rights and asserting regional leadership.
Egypt has traditionally played a mediating role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly between Hamas and Israel. But in recent weeks, Cairo has grown increasingly vocal in its warnings to Israel, particularly over threats to displace Gazans into the Sinai Peninsula, something Egyptian officials have repeatedly described as a national security threat.
Israel’s Response and Regional Tensions
Israeli media interpreted President Sisi’s remarks as a warning that should not be ignored. Several Hebrew-language outlets described the speech as a “threat” cloaked in diplomatic language, while others acknowledged it as a sign of growing frustration in Cairo.
President Sisi’s speech comes at a time of intense regional volatility, with the war in Gaza escalating daily and increasing pressure on Arab states to take stronger positions against Israeli actions. His use of the term “enemy” may represent more than symbolic language; it could signal a deeper political shift in Egypt’s long-standing strategy of balancing peace with Israel and solidarity with the Palestinians.
Whether this marks a turning point in Egyptian-Israeli relations remains to be seen, but for many, it is already a watershed moment one that could reshape diplomatic calculations across the Middle East.
