The Israeli Embassy in Egypt celebrated an Israeli Independence Day publicly with a large event for the first time in years on Tuesday.
The embassy held a gala reception at the Ritz Carlton in Cairo to mark the 70th anniversary of the country's founding.
In recent years, Independence Day events have generally been held at the ambassador's residence. Since the Israeli Embassy came under attack in 2011, during the Arab Spring riots that took place under former President Hosni Mubarak, the embassy has refrained from hosting large events.
Israeli officials traveled to Cairo for the celebrations, including Regional Cooperation Ministry Director General Dr. Joseph Dreznin and Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry for the Middle East Haim Regev. Representatives of the Egyptian government also attended the event.
Israel is currently working to expand economic cooperation with Egypt. Ambassador David Govrin praised the Egyptian authorities and security establishment for making it possible for the embassy to celebrate Israel's 70th Independence Day.
The event did encounter opposition, with Egyptian groups that oppose diplomatic relations with Israel trying to organize protests against the event. The weekly newspaper Roz al-Yousuf published a copy of the invitation to the event under the title "Israel Celebrates 70 Years Since the Nakba ['Catastrophe']."
However, there were no reports of disturbances near the hotel while the event was underway.
Govrin spoke in Arabic and English, stressing that because of events in the Middle East in recent years, especially the increased nuclear threat from Iran, Arab countries were changing their attitudes toward Israel.
"Arab countries no longer see Israel as an enemy, but as a partner in creating a new reality of stability and cooperation," Govrin said.
