To say that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is having trouble settling in would be a mild understatement and his most recent statement that his decisions cannot face legal challenge, granting himself ultimate authority, was met with widespread condemnation – so much so that a Million Man Protest is planned for Tuesday, in Tahrir Square. Such protests have not been seen since residents of that county were working to overthrow former President Hosni Mubarak, and now, they appear unwilling to accept another dictatorial rule.

On the heels of being credited of playing a major role in brokering a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the new Egyptian leader is about to be challenged from within, from his own people.

In Yerushalayim state leaders continue to observe events in Cairo with a growing measure of concern as it has already been established the new Egyptian leader does not care to maintain the level of diplomatic relations with Israel held by his predecessor. In addition, there is the growing Islamic fundamentalist threat in Sinai, as well as the violation of the long-standing peace treaty with Israel when Morsi unilaterally moved military forces and hardware into Sinai, an area that is to remain demilitarized as per the Camp David Agreement signed by Israel and Egypt.

Israel played down the move retroactively, not willing to push events to a diplomatic crisis, but defense and intelligence officials in Israel remain aware of the severe breach of the treaty as well as Morsi’s failure to deal with the growing terror threat in Sinai in an appropriate fashion.

The atmosphere in Egypt is becoming increasingly unsettled and the international community will be watching to see what unfolds in Tahrir Square on Tuesday.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)