Egypt crisis: Israel rallies to support of Egyptian regime
The concession came as it emerged that Israel had privately urged Western governments to end their criticism of Mr Mubarak as he struggles to quell a popular uprising against him.
The United States and its allies were initially supportive of the Egyptian leader, but have signalled a shift in allegiance to his critics as the protests have gathered pace.
Israel, however, has shown fewer qualms about backing Egypt’s president of 30 years, fearing his overthrow could presage the rise of an Islamist regime and the end of one of the Jewish state’s most important strategic alliances.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has instructed ministers to make no public comment on events in Egypt. But his ambassadors abroad were instructed to plead with the governments of major powers to be more supportive of Mr Mubarak. Mr Netanyahu on Monday said he was following events in Egypt with “vigilance and worry” and that he feared the country could be led by a radical Islamic regime like that in Iran.