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Sisi's moves to restore Jewish heritage get international applause

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to restore Jewish heritage sites may promote tourism and the image of his country.
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March 26 marks the 40th anniversary of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. No special celebrations are expected in Cairo or Jerusalem, but a celebration is planned in the United States. Congress will posthumously grant the highest presidential honor — a congressional gold medal — to former President Anwar Sadat, the first Egyptian leader to recognize Israel and who signed a peace treaty with Prime Minister Menachem Begin on the White House lawn.

A delegation of Israeli and American businessmen and activists visited Egypt Feb. 19 and met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in order to invite him to the gold medal ceremony, which will likely happen this September. In the course of the meeting, the Egyptian president said that should there be a resurgence of the Jewish community in Egypt, his government would be prepared to build synagogues and other community institutions. He also mentioned his plans to restore the Jewish cemeteries in the country, which have suffered ongoing neglect.

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