Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
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Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Egypt’s position of wanting to ensure its water security and upholding its “historic rights of Nile water."

During a telephone call on Tuesday, the Egyptian president called on the international community to continue supporting the negotiation process to reach a comprehensive, just, and legally binding agreement on the filling and operating rules of the GERD.

The two leaders discussed trade, investment cooperation, health and security, and efforts to combat terrorism, while also exchanging views on the latest developments in the GERD crisis, official spokesperson for the Presidency Bassam Rady said.

They agreed on boosting cooperation in the security, military, and intelligence fields, especially in terms of counterterrorism efforts and efforts to face illegal immigration and secure borders.

Sisi and Johnson agreed to maximize cooperation in the health sector in a way that achieves the maximum benefit from the British excellence in this field. This coincides with the need for solidarity against the coronavirus pandemic. It includes training specialized medical cadres, cooperation in manufacturing the coronavirus vaccines, and accurate exchange of information to organize traveling between the two countries.

They also discussed collaboration on climate change, with the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow at the end of the year, and the need to support developing countries in obtaining funding, as well as technological and technical support, to tackle the issue.

The two leaders also highlighted developments in Palestine and the importance of maintaining the cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian factions.

Meanwhile, Johnson praised the role Egypt plays in mediating between the parties, and its allocation of $500 million for reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.



Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)

The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services.

The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe.

The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.”

It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues.

The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means.

On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking.

The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack.

Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over.