Egypt has decided to delay the appointment of a new ambassador to Tel Aviv and has refused to approve Israel’s new ambassador to Cairo Ori Rotman, according to a report Sunday morning in the Qatari-affiliated newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Diplomatic Stalemate Between the Countries
According to Egyptian diplomatic sources, Cairo has not accepted the appointment at this time. The decision highlights the depth of the diplomatic freeze that has persisted since the start of the war in Gaza.
The same sources indicated that the freeze is directly tied to Israel’s ongoing military policy in Gaza, escalating disagreements between Egypt and Israel over the conduct of the war, and the continued military pressure in Rafah. Egyptian officials emphasized that: “This does not necessarily indicate a downgrading of diplomatic relations, but it is a sovereign decision with clear political and symbolic implications.”
No Invitation to Credential Ceremony
In March 2025, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held a formal ceremony to receive the credentials of 23 new ambassadors to Egypt. Israel’s newly appointed ambassador, Ori Rotman, was not invited, even though the previous ambassador, Amira Oron, concluded her term back in September 2024. Though Egypt initially accepted Israel’s formal request to appoint Rotman in April 2024, the process has since been delayed due to the war in Gaza and fears of a negative public backlash.
