Israel 'delighted' at Morsi statements

Israeli TV on Thursday featured on its website the statement of Egyptian presidential candidate, Mohammed Morsy, that was broadcast on the CBC TV station on Wednesday. The Israeli TV said that the statement of the Muslim Brotherhood official that he intended to maintain the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was "delightful" news that reduced the Israelis' fear of the Brotherhood. It added that Morsy was "an intelligent candidate, who will implement this notion on the basis of mutual respect". Israeli TV referred to the fear of some analysts about the necessity to open the Rafah crossing throughout the year for Palestinians, saying the decision might adversely affect Israel. Observers also cited Morsy's statement that Sinai was a "red line" against whatever is non-Egyptian. This statement was characterised by Israeli TV as "good because the candidate is aware of the risks that may threat his country". The channel said that the most serious part of Morsy’s statement was his affirmation that Egypt would extend its hand to all the world's states, including Israel, on the basis of mutual respect as a major country opening itself to the world and supporting peace, particularly in the Arab region, and also in Iran and neighbouring countries. Morsy also stated that Egypt should have a good relationship with Lebanon and that there was no state called “Hezbollah”, but a country in which a party was named “Hezbollah.” Israeli TV talked extensively about this point, noting that Morsy desired to emphasise the state's role over the military’s.