Egyptian news media warned not to criticize UAE-Israel deal
Cairo has reportedly instructed local media outlets not to publish content criticizing the recent UAE-Israel normalization deal in another blow to press freedom in the country.
CAIRO — Egyptian media outlets were instructed not to publish any news or statements criticizing the agreement to normalize ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.
On Aug. 13, US President Donald Trump announced an agreement for diplomatic normalization between the UAE and Israel, noting that delegations from the two countries would meet soon to sign other complementary agreements.
Cairo has come out in support of the UAE-Israel agreement and its provisions, which include suspending Israel’s plans to annex Palestinian territories. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced his support for the Israel-UAE agreement on Aug. 13, praising the efforts that led to this deal.
On Aug. 14, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Sisi as well as Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman for their support, noting in a tweet, “The agreement expands the circle of peace and benefits the entire region.”
