The new Egyptian ambassador to Israel was welcomed on Thursday at the President's House in Tel Aviv as the Israeli president received his diplomatic credentials, according to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Hazem Khairat's appointment marks the end of a three-year period during which there had not been an Egyptian Ambassador in Israel.
In Nov. 2012, former president Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood recalled Cairo's ambassador to Israel over an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip that left hundreds, including civilians, killed and wounded, according to a UN investigative panel. Mursi was ousted by the military in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.
Egypt appointed Ambassador Khairat for the position in June; however, he officially assumed office on Thursday. He previously held the positions of Ambassador to Chile and Syria.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin welcomed the new ambassador and wished him success in his new role.
"The peace agreement between our countries is an international treaty and it is for both us, a top priority. We may not agree on everything, but we respect each other and because of this we will build a shared future," President Revlin said.
Ambassador Khairat expressed his appreciation of the president's welcome and stated the need to take responsibility for "the benefit of those who live in the region."
Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in Cairo reopened in September after it had been shut down for four years after protestors broke into the building.
Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
