EGYPTIANS CONCERNED BY ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 009582 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MOPS EG LE SY SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS CONCERNED BY ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE ALONG ISRAEL-LEBANON BORDER REF: STATE 232383 (C) During a December 29 lunch, the Charge delivered reftel demarche to MFA Assistant Minister for Americas Affairs, Ali el Hefny, stressing USG concerns over recent escalation of cross border violence between Israel and Palestine. Hefny challenged our claim of Syrian or Iranian involvement, but promised to convey the message to the Minister and others within the GOE, but did not offer any substantive response. JONES