What made Egypt hesitant to accept Palestinians?

After Israel was established in 1948, many refugees were forced to relocate their families, and many of them had already settled in the Gaza Strip. Egypt is hesitant to accept the Palestinian refugees into its country in the wake of the Hamas attacks because it is a difficult decision and because it knows that if the Palestinians leave Gaza, Israel may never permit them to return, which would undermine their hopes of gaining statehood because, for many Gazans, fleeing is also a last resort.

The issue of Egypt's hesitation to fully embrace the Palestinian cause during times of conflict with Israel is multifaceted and rooted in historical, geopolitical, and strategic considerations. To provide a comprehensive explanation, let's delve into several key factors:

1. Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty (1979):
   One of the most significant events shaping Egypt's stance towards Palestine was the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979. This treaty, brokered by the United States and signed at Camp David, marked the culmination of years of negotiations and led to the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel. As part of the agreement, Egypt recognized Israel's right to exist and established diplomatic and economic ties. In return, Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula, which it had occupied since the Six-Day War in 1967.

   This peace treaty fundamentally altered the dynamics of the Arab-Israeli conflict and redefined Egypt's role in the region. While Egypt remained committed to the principles of Arab solidarity and Palestinian self-determination, its strategic interests shifted towards maintaining peace and stability with Israel.

2. Strategic Considerations:
   Egypt, as a major regional power and the most populous Arab country, has historically played a central role in Middle Eastern politics. Following the peace treaty with Israel, Egypt sought to position itself as a mediator and peacemaker in the Arab-Israeli conflict. This required balancing its support for the Palestinian cause with its desire to maintain good relations with Israel and the West.

   Furthermore, Egypt's security concerns, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, have influenced its approach towards Palestine. The Sinai has been a hotbed of militancy and insurgency, with groups like ISIS-affiliated militants posing a threat to Egypt's stability. As such, Egypt has been wary of actions that could exacerbate tensions with Israel and potentially destabilize the region further.

3. Domestic Politics:
   The Egyptian leadership, under Presidents Anwar Sadat and later Hosni Mubarak, faced domestic pressure to prioritize Egypt's national interests over pan-Arab solidarity. While Egypt's population generally sympathized with the plight of the Palestinians, there were also concerns about the economic and security implications of prolonged conflict with Israel. The government's ability to deliver stability and economic development to its citizens often took precedence over symbolic gestures of support for Palestine.

   Additionally, Egypt's relations with other Arab states, particularly those aligned with the United States and the West, influenced its approach towards Palestine. Egypt's receipt of significant military and economic aid from the United States, as well as its desire to maintain its status as a regional powerbroker, constrained its ability to fully align itself with the more hardline positions of some Arab states, such as Syria or Iraq.

4. Peace Process Dynamics:
   Egypt has been actively involved in various peace initiatives aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This included hosting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as participating in broader international efforts, such as the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. While Egypt remained committed to the goal of Palestinian statehood, its engagement in the peace process sometimes required it to moderate its rhetoric and actions in order to maintain its credibility as a mediator.

   Moreover, Egypt's own experience with conflict and the benefits of peace with Israel informed its approach to the Palestinian issue. The normalization of relations with Israel brought tangible benefits to Egypt, including increased tourism, trade, and security cooperation. These pragmatic considerations tempered Egypt's willingness to fully embrace confrontational tactics in support of the Palestinian cause.

In conclusion, Egypt's hesitation to fully embrace the Palestinian cause during times of conflict with Israel can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the strategic imperatives of maintaining peace and stability, domestic political considerations, and its role as a mediator in the peace process. While Egypt has historically supported the Palestinians' right to self-determination, its actions have often been tempered by its broader national interests and the complexities of regional geopolitics.