Egypt Turmoil Worries Israel

A bag of sugar is a prized possession at a time of deprivation in Egypt (Photos: AFP/Imagebank)

M

ost people take for granted putting a spoonful of sugar into their morning coffee or tea but in Egypt it has become an unaffordable luxury. The public has taken notice and is none too pleased.

The sugar shortage is just one of many economic woes facingEgypt’s government. In a country where the average person lives on $2 per day illiteracy is at 35% and at least 15% of the population is unemployed the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has turned to the International Monetary Fund for a $12-billion bailout. To get the loan however Cairomust impose unpopular austerity measures.

Israelis closely monitoringEgypt’s instability.Jerusalemhas formed a close alliance with al-Sisi who has worked withJerusalemto destroy Hamas smuggling tunnels intoGazaand stand up to Islamic State in Sinai.Egyptis facing a terror war in Sinai that could also threatenIsraelone day.