In the Middle East, good news can seem hard to come by – especially regarding Arab/Jewish relations. Today, Israel, Egypt, and the U.S. signed a new trade agreement. According to the BBC, “The US describes this as the most important economic agreement between Egypt and Israel in two decades.” But leave it to the Beeb to skew the reporting. While I appreciate the fact that the BBC reported this news, their pro-Arab slant was unnecessary.

Pragmatism, e.g., business interests, can make for strange bedfellows, but it is certainly reason enough for Israel and Egypt to warm up to each other. After all, the two countries have been at peace since 1979, though Egypt got a better deal and has been cold – downright antagonistic – towards Israel for the duration of the treaty’s lifetime.

But Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a vibrant and modern economy. She was named “Market of the Month” by the U.S. Commercial Service in August 2004. U.S./Israeli trade totaled $19.6 billion in 2003. Israelis, with a tiny population of 6.5 million, have built a $122 billion economy [1] -- only 2.46% of which is U.S. aid. Israel ranks second only to Canada amongst foreign countries having companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Never mind the fact that Israel and Egypt share a common border: Egypt needs the business. From the BBC:

But there are also pressing economic reasons for Egypt's decision to enter into the trade agreement.

It will give a huge boost to Egyptian textile exports, which are about to suffer a drop after new regulations come into force in the US at the beginning of the year.

In other words, Egypt needed this deal more than Israel, but that’s not really news. Israel is the beachhead of democracy and capitalism in the Middle East. She, as usual, will have to take the high road when it comes to Arab/Israeli peace.

But according to the BBC article, it was Egypt that took the high road considering this trade agreement:

There has been deep sensitivity in Egypt about any form of co-operation with Israel as long as its peace process with the Palestinians remains blocked. …

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has described Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as the best chance for the Palestinians to achieve peace.

The government in Cairo now believes Mr Sharon is moving towards the centre and away from the positions of right wing groups.

Oh, that bad, old Mr. Sharon. Never mind that Sharon was elected by the people of a democracy while Egyptian President Mubarak declared himself dictator-for-life back in 1981. Mubarak has run “unopposed” for “president” four times in a row, garnering 96% of the “votes” every time. “Mr Sharon is moving towards the centre and away from the positions of right wing groups?”

The Beeb makes no mention of Egypt’s track record; no mention of Egypt’s blatantly anti-Semitic press; no mention of Egypt’s atrocious human right’s record; no mention of Egypt’s ties to state sponsors of terrorism. Remind me again: just who is supposed to be “right-wing,” Israel or Egypt?

Nonetheless, I’ll take today’s trade agreement as good news. In a pragmatic world, business ties are the ties that bind – or at least lay the foundation for future good relations. I have no choice but to remain optimistic.