Middle East: Dancing an Uncertain Tango

Egypt and Israel keep working at their trial-and-error friendship

One year ago, a blue and white flag embossed with the Star of David was hoisted above a sandstone villa in a broad-avenued residential district in Cairo. Simultaneously, the red, white and black Egyptian flag was raised over a newly opened embassy in Tel Aviv. After three decades of war, Israel and Egypt had at last embarked on a peaceful reconciliation and, as a first step, exchanged ambassadors. Since then, the attempt by the two erstwhile foes to become good neighbors has unfolded like an uncertain and at times highly awkward tango.

Throughout,...