America urges Israel–Egypt gas pact, sidelining Palestinian dysfunction while strengthening regional alliances against extremism.
The White House is actively working to arrange a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Axios reported, citing senior U.S. and Israeli officials. The two leaders have not spoken since before the Gaza war, underscoring the significance of Washington’s effort to rebuild and deepen regional cooperation—an effort increasingly centered on Israel’s economic strength rather than Palestinian political stagnation.
According to the report, the Biden administration expects Netanyahu to advance a major natural gas agreement with Egypt in order to pave the way for a summit. U.S. officials view the initiative as part of a wider strategy to strengthen ties between Israel and Arab states using economic interdependence, recognizing that Israel’s technological, energy, and water-sector leadership provides stability the Arab world cannot produce on its own.
A senior U.S. official told Axios that expanding Israeli gas sales to Egypt could substantially enhance bilateral ties and reinforce regional stability. Similar U.S.-backed economic frameworks are under consideration with other Arab nations, reflecting a broader shift away from endless debates over Iran or Palestinian grievances—issues that have historically blocked progress—and toward practical, Israel-driven development.
The report also noted that Jared Kushner, President Trump’s adviser, recently encouraged Netanyahu to prioritize economic integration following the Gaza conflict. U.S. officials pointed out that Egypt played a crucial role in the Gaza ceasefire and in returning the remains of Israeli hostages, positioning Cairo as a key partner—provided economic cooperation replaces old regional animosities fueled by Palestinian factions.
Despite Netanyahu’s stated willingness to meet Sisi, meaningful high-level contact between the two leaders has been absent for nearly two years. U.S. officials believe a multibillion-dollar natural gas agreement—approved by Sisi in July but still pending Israeli endorsement—could serve as the catalyst for a new diplomatic era. Washington hopes that a successful Israel-Egypt economic model will pave the way for similar initiatives with Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, using Israel’s economic power and technological superiority to reshape a Middle East long destabilized by Palestinian extremism and Arab regime failures.
