“One of the major stumbling blocks during the peace negotiations between Israel and Egypt from 1977 to 1979 – aside from the question of linking Israeli-Egyptian peace to a solution of the Palestinian problem – was the limitation on Egyptian sovereignty in the Sinai Peninsula after Israel withdrew. Israeli security concerns were addressed via a gradual demilitarization, a dilution of forces and an international security force.

But the terror attack north of Eilat a week and a half ago demonstrated what was already known for a while: Israel’s limitations on the Egyptian military presence in the Sinai could also be to Israel’s detriment.”

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