Cairo: Tensions have increased in Egypt following an emergence of an image showing a vessel sailing from the the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. The vessel was carrying the flags of both Egypt and Israel. The same has not gone down well with a section of Egyptians who have launched a protest in Cairo.
However, the Egyptian authorities responded by saying that Suez Canal, the ships must have the flag of the countries they are passing through as well as the flag of the country, the vessel is registered with. In this case, too, the ship in question carried the flags of Egypt and Israel.
Protesters call for the prohibition of Israeli ships
Staging its protest over the issue, the protesters called for the prohibition of Israeli ships to use the route. They were also expressing their support for the Lebanese and Palestinian people. It is important to note here that the ongoing war in Gaza has led to the deaths of nearly 43,000 Palestinians, with tensions also spreading in Lebanon. Many in Egypt have also questioned the absence of any sanctions in Israel.
“The Suez Canal Authority emphasises its commitment to the implementation of international treaties guaranteeing free passage to ships transiting the Suez Canal whether they are commercial or military, regardless of their nationality,” the statement released by the Suez Canal Authority said. Egypt became the first country in 1979 to sign a peace treaty with Israel after the four wars between 1948 and 1973. The authority cited the Constantinople Convention of 1888 in its statement.
Egypt’s rejects concerns regarding support for Israel
The internationally accepted Constantinople Convention of 1888, whose terms regulate the Suez Canal’s regulations, was cited in the authority’s statement. The Egyptian authorities have however rejected concerns of its reported support to Israel in the ongoing Middle-East tensions.
