Dozens of Israelis flee Egypt on emergency flight

JERUSALEM (AP):

Behind an official wall of silence, Israel watched nervously Saturday as anti-government unrest worsened in Egypt, fearful that the violent and growing street protests could topple Israel's most important ally in the Arab world.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his government to remain silent about the situation in Egypt. But in a clear reflection of Israel's concerns, Sun D'Or, a subsidiary of Israel's national airline, El Al, whisked dozens of Israelis, including diplomats' families, out of Egypt on an emergency flight. The government also urged Israelis to avoid travel to Egypt.

The stability of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's regime is a key interest for Israel.

Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel, and since succeeding the assassinated Anwar Sadat in the wake of that historic peace treaty three decades ago, Mubarak has steadfastly honoured the deal.

While relations have often been cool, Mubarak has remained a key bridge to the Arab world, frequently mediating between Israel and the Palestinians. Mubarak also has cooperated with Israel in containing the militant Hamas group, which rules the Gaza Strip, a volatile coastal strip that borders both Israel and Egypt.

Fear of violence

Israeli officials, ordered to speak on condition of anonymity, expressed grave concerns about Mubarak's tenuous grip on power. Some said they feared the violence could spread to neighbouring Jordan, the only other Arab country with a peace deal with Israel, or to the Palestinian territories.

There were also concerns that anti-Israel opposition groups, including the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood, might gain a larger voice in Egyptian decision making.

"A stable Egypt with a peace treaty with Israel means a quiet border," one Israeli official told The Associated Press. "If there is a regime change, Israel will have to reassess its strategy to protect its border from one of the most modern militaries in the region."

Early Saturday evening, the Sun D'Or plane touched down in Israel with dozens of Israelis and diplomats' relatives on board, officials said. The Israeli foreign ministry said diplomats would remain in Egypt for the time being.

The Egyptian unrest dominated Israeli media. Israeli TV news channels provided non-stop updates throughout the day. State-funded Israel Radio reported extensively on developments and dubbed its broadcasts 'Fire on the Nile'.

Writing in the Haaretz daily, columnist Aluf Benn speculated that Mubarak's "fading power" leaves Israel with few friends in the Middle East.

Mubarak has faced days of massive anti-government protests, with tens of thousands of people filling the streets of Cairo and other major cities demanding his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. The protesters have said they are fed up with the massive unemployment, lack of opportunities and corruption that plague the country.

On Saturday, Mubarak named Omar Suleiman, his powerful intelligence chief, as vice-president, the first time someone has held that position under his rule. It was unclear whether the move, which followed promises of reform and a new government, would be enough to calm the unrest.

There was no immediate reaction from Israel, but the appointment was likely to calm nerves in Israel, where Suleiman is a frequent visitor and has good working relations with his Israeli counterparts.

Israeli officials said it was unclear if Mubarak would survive the protests, and they fear that ties could be damaged if Egypt's popular opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, makes gains.

Eli Shaked, a former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt, speculated in an interview with Channel 10 TV that if Mubarak's reign is destabilised, radical Egyptian Islamists could fill the void.

Muslim brotherhood

"It's good that Israel is keeping quiet, but there is no doubt that what is happening in Egypt is not good for Israeli interests," Shaked said. "It will only be a matter of time before a leader of the revolution arises and he will come from the Muslim Brotherhood."

A stronger Muslim Brotherhood could also affect the balance of power between the rival Palestinian camps, the government of President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and the rival Hamas regime in Gaza.

Abbas is backed by the West, while his Islamic militant rivals draw their support from Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. Hamas is the Gaza branch of the Muslim brotherhood and could gain strength if their Egyptian brethren rise to power.

Abbas on Saturday called Mubarak, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Abbas told the Egyptian leader that he is eager to see Egypt stable and secure, the agency said.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas.

In Gaza, Palestinian residents rushed to buy extra gasolene, concerned that fuel supplies would run out. In the past few years, the majority of Gaza's fuel has come from Egypt through underground smuggling tunnels on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Palestinian smugglers who work in the tunnels said Saturday that there were fewer fuel supplies available from Egypt, but that there were no fuel shortages and they were continuing to smuggle Egyptian fuel into Gaza.