Egypt is rolling forces into the Sinai Peninsula in response to the kidnapping of its security personnel. Cairo, of course, is treaty-bound by the Camp David Accords to limit the scope of its deployments in the Sinai Peninsula. When asked whether the armed campaign currently being waged in the territory violated the peace treaty, Egyptian officials expressed themselves unconcerned:

Commenting on the army’s deployment on Monday of armoured vehicles and personnel carriers in North Sinai, Kato asserted that the move would not have any negative impact on Egypt’s Camp David peace accords with Israel, which tightly limit the number of Egyptian troops deployed in the border area. “Egypt doesn’t pay attention to the accords when its national security is under threat,” he said. “The military is obliged to defend the land and fight terrorism.”

U.S. and Israeli officials have emphasized in the past that Egypt’s legitimate security concerns must be met within the framework of the peace treaty signed between Jerusalem and Cairo, which saw Israel cede the Sinai Peninsula in return for tight limits on Egyptian activity in the territory.

Meanwhile Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood-linked president Mohamed Morsi has expressed disatisfaction with the treaty. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie has called for it to be out-right revoked: 

Dr. Mohammed Badie, Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), affirmed that the IOF-Egypt Peace Treaty “the Camp David Accords” has lost all its credibility. He described it as not complying with the rulings of Islam, nor the interest of the nation. He depicted it as prone to disaster since its text was full of uncertainties.

Badie himself is virulently anti-Semitic, is the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader, and is considered by domestic opponents to guide the Morsi government’s policies.

[Photo: english.ahram.org.eg]