The Muslim Brotherhood's decision to field Khairat al-Shatir reverses a pledge made earlier by the group’s leaders not to contest the presidential election in May.

The Bedouins had blockaded the Multinational Force and Observers mission to pressure the Egyptian government to release their brethren who they claim were unfairly convicted for bombing attacks on popular tourist spots in Taba in 2004, at Sharm Al Sheikh the following year, and Dahab in 2006.

The attacks are blamed on Islamist militants taking advantage of a post-revolution security vacuum.

Yaacov Amitai replaces Yitzhak Levanon, who was evacuated from Cairo in September along with the rest of the mission’s staff and their families after rioters stormed the Israeli embassy following the shooting of an Egyptian policeman on the Israel/Egypt border.