Israel, January 31: Senior officials in Tel Aviv say the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a directive to about a dozen of its embassies, including those in the US, Russia, China, Canada and several European countries.
The directive asked the ambassadors to stress the importance of the stability of Egypt’s ruling system to their host countries as soon as possible, Ha’aretz reported on Monday.
The directive called on Israel’s allies to curb criticisms against Mubarak.
The measure came following statements by Western countries implying that the US and EU support Mubarak’s ouster.
Israel has ordered its officials to avoid commenting on the developments in Egypt.
However, at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a cabinet meeting to be convened on Monday to discuss the uprisings in Egypt.
“The peace between Israel and Egypt has lasted for more than three decades and our objective is to ensure that these relations will continue to exist,” Netanyahu told the ministers.
“We are closely monitoring events in Egypt and the region and are making efforts to preserve its security and stability,” he added.
The Foreign Ministry in Tel Aviv has issued a directive for Israelis to avoid going to Egypt and return if they are there.
In Egypt, the popular uprising against the government of Mubarak began last Tuesday. The Egyptian protesters say they want Mubarak to step down.
Demonstrators began gathering in Tahrir Square in central Cairo on Monday for a seventh day of protests against the regime.
Military helicopters and F-16 fighter jets made low passes over Tahrir Square as the number of protesters kept rising.
A column of tanks also rumbled into the vicinity in a show of strength, as Egyptian army snipers began targeting protesters in the capital.
—-Agencies