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Over the past two years of regional turmoil and a devastating war, Dr. Roee Kibrik, Director of Research at the Mitvim Institute, held an in-depth conversation with Ambassador Abderahman Salahadin – a veteran Egyptian diplomat and long-standing advocate for regional peace. The discussion was candid, personal, and often painful, offering a clear perspective on how reality looks from the Nile and what lies ahead if no political horizon emerges.
A Region “Following Stories of Horrible War”
Salahadin began by describing the grim picture of the past two years:
“In the last two years, we have been only following stories of horrible war that inflicted civilian casualties. First, initially, on the Israeli civilians – 1,200 of them were gone at the Hamas terrorist attack against the civilian population on October 7th.”
He continued with what followed:
“We have only been following systemic genocide waged on the part of the Israeli government against the Palestinian population… killing, pushing people to leave their land, collective punishing them, denying them food, water, medicine, blocking all kinds of assistance… not discriminating between women, children, humanitarian assistance people, journalists.”
As a staunch supporter of Egyptian–Israeli peace for four decades, he expressed deep disappointment with the Israeli public response:
“To my surprise, I didn’t find any rejection to this genocide among the Israeli population. Yes, we saw demonstrations… but in order to get the hostages back. I would have expected to see the pro-peace movement… trying to stop the war in order to stop killing innocent civilians. I was missing that.”
“Israel Is Not Safer Today Than It Was Two Years Ago”
Salahadin offered a sober strategic assessment:
“Israel was able to strike effectively and heavily against three of its enemies – Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. Yes, that happened. But all three of them are still there. And they can rebuild… in five to ten years’ time we would go again into this vicious cycle of violence.”
He warned:
“Israel is not safer today than it was two years ago. With drones, artificial intelligence, and all kinds of technology – the threat is going to be higher and higher if we don’t resolve this conflict.”
Seven Million and Seven Million: “They’re Not Going Anywhere”
Salahadin underscored the demographic reality:
“The seven million Palestinians are not going anywhere… exactly like the seven million Jews in historic Palestine. They’re not going anywhere. And they need, somehow, to coexist.”
If coexistence does not take place within two political entities:
“We would be faced with only a one-state solution… what we are witnessing today is another kind of apartheid. And it needs to end. It is up to the Israeli people and its majority to decide how it’s going to end.”
Egypt’s Role: “Look at Our Example”
Salahadin reflected on Egypt’s decades-long message to the Arab world:
“For 40 years we have been telling our Arab brothers – all of them – look to our example. It is through peace that we were able to get our land back. We got Sinai back in full through peace negotiations, arbitration, and confidence-building measures.”
This experience, he noted, helped pave the way toward the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative:
“It was because of this example that the whole Arab position came around… citing the principle of land for peace, the same principle that we applied.”
But extremists, he said, now challenge that model:
“They say: maybe that was your case in Egypt, but look what the Israelis are doing in the West Bank… trying to annex it. Look at the Golan Heights… and in this war they ended up occupying now half of Gaza. They say Israel only withdraws because of force.”
A Model for Gaza: Administration, Oversight, Withdrawal
Salahadin laid out a detailed vision for Gaza’s future:
– A Palestinian administration agreed upon by all Palestinian factions
– International supervision represented by a “Board of Peace”
– An International Stabilization Force supporting Palestinian national aspirations
– A commitment from Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza if the process succeeds
– Reconnecting Gaza and the West Bank
– A clear roadmap toward final-status negotiations
As he put it:
“We need to show the Palestinians where this is headed. If it is just another management of the conflict… we will be competing against a very strong argument in favor of the extremists.”
He emphasized that Egypt is already working with the United States and international partners, and preparing to host a reconstruction conference.
Turning Gaza into “The Riviera of the Middle East”
He shared a long-term vision:
“Turn Gaza into a real model of the fruits of peace… the Riviera or Monte Carlo of the Middle East. And it’s a Riviera for the Palestinians – not for anybody else.”
But he also recalled Egyptian concerns:
“There was some effort to push Palestinians in Gaza toward Egypt, toward Sinai. It could have been catastrophic to our peace together… it could have turned us into warring parties.”
And he criticized attempts to use economic pressure:
“I am disappointed today that I’m hearing some Israeli officials trying to use gas as a tool to coerce Egypt… it’s ironic, because 40 years ago we were criticized for selling Egyptian oil and gas to Israel. Economic cooperation is a fruit of peace – denying it only serves those who work against peace.”
A Message to Israelis: “Peace Is the Priority”
Asked to speak directly to the Israeli public, he did not hesitate:
“Peace is a priority. It is more important than the price of cheese or the price of bread.”
He urged Israelis:
“In your next election… vote on who is going to provide all of us in the Middle East with the best opportunity for peace.”
And he issued a stark warning:
“Believe me, those who are for peace… they don’t want Israel to turn into another apartheid. But it’s going to happen if peace is absent. I’m afraid you will end up with an isolated Israel… facing the same fate that the apartheid regime faced. I hope Israelis can take this as coming from a friend.”
“Working for the Same Purpose”
In closing, Salahadin reflected on his personal commitment:
“I am making sure that what’s left of my life is directed toward such a noble goal as attaining peace… regardless of developments on the ground.”
He ended with hope:
“Maybe in Israel – I would be able to attend your conference in person when we have a peace treaty on the horizon.”
