Egyptian public opinion would not seriously obstruct a government cutting losses on Palestine

Evidence

Although the Palestine issue has been embittered by three wars, it is by no means inconceivable that an Egyptian re´gime or ruler might emerge which would be prepared to cut its losses in Palestine in the same way as Neguib and Nasser did in the Sudan. In such a case there would no doubt be political opposition in Egypt, but I doubt if it would seriously incommode a determined Egyptian government. The problem of a settlement between Israel and her gen­ uinely Arab neighbours in the East is of course quite another matter and would be very much more difficult—though on the other hand it is not easy to see what they could do once the great prop of the Egyptian support is removed. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1272

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: A striking claim about how regime change can outrun entrenched nationalist commitments — the state’s freedom from public sentiment in certain settlement questions. Resists quick summary.