A Muslim Brotherhood leader expects that the group would put the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty to referendum among the public or parliament.

Rashad Bayoumi, deputy supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, told the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on Sunday that the group respects international treaties, but legal procedures toward the peace treaty with Israelis will take place.

“People will express their opinions on it. All parties can reconsider the treaty and Egyptians haven't yet had their say,” he added.

“We won't violate the treaty. We can put it for referendum among people or parliament,” Bayoumi said.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth ran last month an interview with Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, in which he said the US administration is currently holding constructive dialogue with Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Egypt and that they agreed that the group will respect the peace treaty, which was reached under rule of former President Anwar al-Sadat.

However, the group denied having talks with the US.

Bayoumi added that the group will not recognize Israel as a state under any circumstances. None of the group’s members will sit down with Israelis. “I’ll never allow myself to sit down with a criminal. We will not deal with Israelis by any means.”

Muslim Brotherhood rejects recognition of the Israeli state. Former Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef said that this issue is not negotiable.

Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm