An Israeli film called “The Band’s Visit” about the journey to Israel of an Egyptian orchestra won praise and many awards in 2007, including three prizes at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This year, on Israel’s Independence Day, for the first time in 40 years and as a sign of warming relations between the countries, a Jewish-Arab orchestra traveled to Egypt. 

Israel’s Ambassador to Egypt Amira Oron hatched the plan to bring the Firkat Alnoor Orchestra (Orchestra of Light) to Egypt, because of the diverse composition of the band, which presents a repertoire of classical Arab music. The concert played by the orchestra on the occasion of Israel’s Independence Day was received with great enthusiasm.

In the past years, Israel-Egypt relations have seen significant expansion in a variety of economic areas. The orchestra’s visit and concerts were meant to add additional substance to these ties, and another space for contact between the Israeli and Egyptian people. Amir said in her speech, “We, diplomats, use quite often the words 'peace and stability.' For us, the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, these words, as seen from the data I presented, have daily meaning. Every day we make more peace, with the help of our Egyptian partners.” 

The trend of warming relations between Egypt and Israel is found mostly in the economic realm, after years of minimal connections. One of the reasons for growing closeness now is Egypt’s desire to receive Israeli support in Washington to release aid funding, which is delayed in Congress. But mostly, it is the desire and need to advance the Egyptian economy.