Israelis might well have felt disheartened this week by some harsh reactions in Egypt and Jordan to the appointment of new ambassadors to Israel.
Many Egyptians could not believe that their new Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi would possibly send a letter to Israeli President Shimon Peres beginning with the words “great and good friend” and ending with “highest esteem and consideration.” In Jordan, members of the new ambassador’s clan tried to thwart his appointment; and after failing to do so, declared public mourning.
But a closer look at the dynamics of these reactions offers some interesting insights into Egypt and Jordan’s inner workings; the two stories say rather more about internal dynamics and dilemmas in the two neighboring states than about the specifics of their relationships with Israel.
