Zvi Mazel

Born in Israel in 1939, graduate in Political Science and International Relations of the Institute of Political Science, University of Paris – 1966. Former diplomat in the Israeli ministry for Foreign Affairs 1966 – 2004. Served in various functions among them Deputy Director General in charge of African Affairs, Director of East Europe division, Director of Egypt and North Africa division in the research center of the Ministry. Was ambassador of Israel in Romania, Egypt, and Sweden. Retired in 2004 he monitors Arab Affairs. Since 2006 fellow of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs – a think tank specializing in Security and Foreign Affairs of Israel and publishes a weekly column. Was the Center's editor of its website in Arabic. Mazel is a regular contributor to the JPost.

TURKISH PRESIDENT Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for a meeting in Brussels in March.

Can the would-be caliph from Turkey be stopped?

Al-Azhar mosque, founded by the Fatimid conqueror Gwahar al-Siqilli in 970. Herz opened the walled-up arcades encircling the courtyard

In memory of Chief Rabbi Bakshi-Doron: From al-Azhar to coronavirus

SUPPORTERS OF former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak hold his photos near the main gate of a cemetery during his funeral ceremony, east of Cairo.

Hosni Mubarak kept the peace with Israel


Dancing to the tune of Hamas: Egypt, Israel and Gaza

Would a long-term truce with Hamas be compatible with the interests of Israel, Egypt and Hamas, ensnared in the web of their common borders?

A PALESTINIAN security member look across the border at Egyptian flags from southern Gaza

Turkey and NATO – the end?

Turkey has been a valued member of NATO for 67 years because of its geostrategic position between Europe and Asia, it being part of the Middle East and the Muslim world and its proven military might.

TURKISH PRESIDENT Tayyip Erdogan attends a ceremony at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk last year

President Sisi’s next gamble

In November 2016, an agreement was signed between the IMF and Egypt providing for a $12 billion loan to be delivered in five steps in the course of three years.

ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI

The death of Mohamed Morsi

In all likelihood Egyptian authorities had feared that the Muslim Brothers and their followers would foment riots and had decided to limit media reports to a minimum.

Ex-President Mohammad Morsi seen through prison bars in 2016

The death of Mohammed Morsi

The Brotherhood, it was said by some, would seize the opportunity to renew its attacks on the regime of President Sisi.

Ex-President Mohammad Morsi seen through prison bars in 2016

What’s happening in the Kingdom?

In surprise twist, radical Saudi preacher apologizes for his movement’s past and hails the crown prince’s reforms.

EXTREMIST THEMES from the Muslim Brotherhood appeared on Al Jazeera

Fault lines in the Sunni front against Iran?

Egypt might be withdrawing from the planned Middle East defense alliance with US backing, known as the “Arab NATO.”

SAUDI ARABIA’S envoy and other Gulf states gather in Kuwait in 2017.

A poorly attended Arab League summit in Tunis with no concrete results

US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty on the Golan, published a scant few days before the summit, shows what little regard he has for meeting Arab heads of state.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf attend the 30th Arab Summit in Tunis, Tunisia March 31, 2019

Peace with Egypt is entering its fifth decade

Reflections from the Egyptian ambassador and Foreign Ministry veteran, who saw it all unfold

THE WRITER (left) presents his letter of credence to Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

Changes in the wind for Egypt?

According to article 140, presidents were to be elected for a four-year term and could be reelected for only one more term as is in the case in the United States.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sits in the chair reserved for heads of state before delivering his address during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 25, 201