The Biden administration will send the full $1.3 billion military aid allocation to Egypt, ignoring conditions imposed in part by Congress over human rights concerns and because of Egypt’s role as a mediator in the war between Israel and Hamas.
The State Department said Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken used his authority to waive the $225 million conditions, calling the move critical to stability in the Middle East and Egypt’s ability to support U.S. national security priorities, including brokering a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza and expanding humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken reported to Congress this week that Egypt has made progress in releasing political prisoners and preventing harassment of Americans, meeting the criteria for accessing $95 million in aid.
“The United States also continues to engage in tough dialogue with the Egyptian government on the importance of concrete human rights improvements that are essential to maintaining the strongest possible U.S.-Egyptian partnership,” the State Department said.
The decision signals Egypt’s emphasis on its role as a key mediator in a conflict that threatens to escalate into a region-wide war and pose risks to the United States amid lingering suspicions that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government is behind numerous human rights abuses.
The State Department and human rights groups say the allegations include abuse, torture and detention, as well as a systematic crackdown on civil society, press freedom and freedom of expression. The United States withheld $85 million from the Egyptian government last year and $130 million for 2022.
Human Rights Watch said El-Sisi’s government has released hundreds of detainees but is arresting many more, and thousands of journalists, activists and others remain imprisoned.
Democratic Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut said Egypt has not made progress and denounced the millions of dollars in funding.
“Over the past year, Egypt has imprisoned two new political prisoners for every one it released,” they said in a statement. “This is not clear and consistent progress. It is one step forward and two steps back.”
Murphy, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with jurisdiction over the Middle East, said the U.S. had previously withheld funding because of human rights concerns but was able to maintain a strategic relationship with Egypt. He said there was no reason for the change because “it is no secret that Egypt remains an extremely repressive dictatorship.”
The State Department noted steps Egypt has taken, including releasing more than 950 political prisoners since September 2023 and moving forward with proposed pretrial detention reforms. But it said it had made clear to Egyptian authorities that “further action is needed.”
El-Sisi has previously denied that there are any political prisoners in his country and justified the government’s measures as necessary to fight the spread of terrorism.
Bonnell is a contributor to The Associated Press.
