Statement on the Release of Ilan Grapel

October 27, 2011

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson

Statement by VICTORIA NULAND, SPOKESPERSON

The United States welcomes the release of Ilan Grapel, who we have worked hard to bring home since his June detention in Egypt.  We thank the Governments of Egypt and Israel for their roles in reuniting him with his family.  The Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty is a vital element of regional peace and stability, and we strongly support both countries’ sustained commitment to its provisions. 

There is no truth to press reports asserting that the U.S. agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Egypt in connection with the release of Ilan Grapel.  Since 1982, the U.S. Government has sold over 220 F-16s to Egypt as part of our longstanding bilateral defense relationship.