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Egypt has taken initiative to hold peace talks between Israel and Palestine on various occasions. What is their interest in the matter? Is it simply a case of proximity, or does conflict between Israel and Palestine cause internal conflict within Egypt? Or, even more complicated, is Egypt being utilized by Western powers?

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  1. Being peace maker enhances Egypts' position.

    Ever since Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt was interested in being the leader of Arab world.

    Playing peace-keeper in what's considered as the among the most consequential conflict grants both actual (everyone owes them favors) and perceived (they are a leader because they are able to do this) power.

  2. Egypt is definitely affected by any conflict between Israel and HAMAS (which is an offshoot of Muslim Brotherhood Egyptian organization - google how they relate to the last 5 years in Egyptian politics)

  3. They are definitely hoping that Western powers will be more favorable towards them - see the "favors accrued" point in #1 bullet. That's not a push from Western government per se but that is a factor in their calculations.

  4. Any disruption in Gaza strip negatively reflects on Egypt (terrorists going to Egypt; refugees escaping there, etc...).

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    I would add a 4th bullet... They do not want palestinian refugees in their country.
    – SoylentGray
    Jul 18, 2014 at 18:41
  • Egypt is also an ally to Palestine and really would rather not get pulled into a war with Israel again.
    – Ryathal
    Jul 18, 2014 at 19:18
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    @Ryathal - for some values of the word "ally" :)
    – user4012
    Jul 18, 2014 at 19:21

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