Egypt’s President to Israel’s Smotrich: We Have No Hidden Agenda

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Wednesday, 14 October, that Egypt has no ambitions against Israel and remains committed to the bilateral peace treaty.

He also revealed that the country’s 14-year fight against terrorism has cost more than EGP 120 billion.

El-Sisi spoke at the 44th Educational Seminar, marking the 53rd anniversary of the October 1973 war victories.

The event, titled “Nation of Heroes” was held at the Al-Safwa International Conference Center at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital.

Responding to recent remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich concerning Sinai, el-Sisi said Egypt had fought to defend its land and recovered all of its territory.

Egypt, he said, has no hidden agendas, and its priorities are protecting its borders and national security within a framework of peace and stability.

He reiterated that the peace treaty governs relations between the two countries and that Egypt has no ambitions against anyone.

El-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s support for a two-state solution, which he described as reflecting a longstanding conviction that it offers a realistic route to a just and lasting peace.

On regional security, el-Sisi said Egypt is working to reduce regional escalation, resolve the crisis in the Gulf and secure the stability of Gulf countries.

He described Gulf national security as an integral and inseparable part of Egyptian national security, and Egyptian national security as an extension of the Gulf’s.

Cairo, el-Sisi said, is ready to do whatever is necessary to de-escalate tensions, secure navigation and restore regional stability.

Turning to domestic affairs, the president warned of systematic campaigns and psychological warfare over recent months aimed at destabilising the state, casting doubt on the October victory and falsifying public consciousness through social media.

He described attempts to undermine national awareness and distort collective memory as the most prominent continuing threat.

His remarks follow government calls for faster information flow to counter rumours and misinformation.