Last week a deal was reached in Egypt between Hamas and Fatah. The agreement constituted a reconciliation between the two opposing Palestinian powers. As a consequence of the deal, the new Egyptian government has declared it now fully supports the Palestinian plan to declare a separate Palestinian State.

This marks an important change in policy in Egypt, under President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt was always an ally of Israel, and refused to work with the terrorist organisation Hamas. However, since Mubarak’s removal from power in March, Egypt has been quick to break ties with Israel, a move popular with most Egyptians.

Egypt is urging the US to follow their lead and also declare support for the Palestinian State Declaration, however America has so far continued to hold firm to it’s policy of not doing business with Hamas.