Egypt’s Sisi Calls for Arab Intelligence Cooperation to Counter Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is seen during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus June 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is seen during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus June 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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Egypt’s Sisi Calls for Arab Intelligence Cooperation to Counter Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is seen during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus June 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is seen during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus June 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi stressed the importance of collective action among Arab counties to restore stability in the region, especially in areas that are witnessing instability and crises due to terrorist groups.

These groups are backed by other countries and governments, he said during the inauguration of the Arab Intelligence Forum via video conference in Cairo.

Sisi called on all Arab countries and the delegations participating in the forum to stand together, reject division and overcome any differences in order to confront challenges.

He emphasized the importance of the Arab Intelligence Forum as a strong and supportive mechanism for cooperation among countries.

According to presidential spokesperson, Bassam Rady, Sisi said that countering terrorism depends on exchanging experiences and information along with the continuous development of different mechanisms to confront it.

The Forum participants were headed by Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS), who emphasized the importance of the event in promoting joint action to achieve Arab national security.

The Forum aims to exchange views to address the accelerating challenges facing the Arab region, especially in combating terrorism, extremist ideology and organized crime. It is hoped that this exchange will help achieve regional security and stability.

In February 2020, Egypt hosted the first meeting for the heads of Arab intelligence agencies that helped pave the way for establishing the Arab Intelligence Forum.



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”