By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 25, 2006
Author draws on her Bedouin roots as well as her rich knowledge of the Arabic language
CAIRO: Pursuing her quest for freedom, female author Miral Al-Tahawy, an offspring of Bedouin culture and a woman drenched in Arabic character, found both herself and her writing. During an evening dedicated to her literature at the Kotob Khan bookstore in Maadi, Al-Tahawy explored Gazelle’s Taps, her latest masterpiece with some of her enthusiastic readers.
Al-Tahawy, who often resorted to escapism and fantasy worlds during her childhood that led her to writing, earned a master’s and a doctorate degree in the Arabic language with an emphasis on Bedouin traditions and women, an area that has yet to be thoroughly explored in literature.
Applauded for her work, the writer – with an ever-present smile, oriental features and long black hair – began her journey with a short story collection in 1995 entitled The Tent. It revolves around a world of women controlled by men, was a notable success. Although she began with vanity publishing, as in paying money in order to see her work on bookshelves, three years later she was honored at the Cairo Book Fair and her name swept across front pages of newspapers. She was also short listed for international prizes and won the National Award for excellence in literature in 2000.
In Gazelle’s Taps – now translated into several languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Italian – Al-Tahawy tells a story of Muhra, a woman torn between past and present, wavering between tradition and a modern changing world.
Like all Al-Tahawy’s books, the central figure of the novel is a woman, an Arab with Bedouin origins like herself.
Her female characters are usually shades of her personality and reflect her special history in her own Bedouin-influenced society. Whether it’s a cry for freedom, an adventure, an exploration of her own desires or a desperate need for understanding, Al-Tahawy’s past and personal experience colors her novels and brings them to life. Her descriptions are detailed, rich and intense with a distinctive quality, even for the casual light reader.
Her keen eye for details and sophistication in using the Arabic language, combined with her talent for revitalizing it, has earned her comments from her readers, who say that her language “must be too hard for the average reader,” especially young people who many say have refrained from heavy Arabic and classical reading.
Al-Tahawy, however, begs to differ, as she insists that her work is neither “classic,” nor can it be distinctly categorized. She adds, “The language and the style are in harmony with this era, this point in time, I believe.”
“However, written work is like a puzzle,” 38-year-old Al-Tahawy told her readers in the cozy cafe centered in the heart of the Kotob Khan. “You might not understand a word, but you get the meaning. Every script dictates its own language and style. My writing [in Gazelle’s Taps] entailed mystery and secrets, so the language had to illustrate this.”
“It is not a showing-off of language,” she added on a second note. “[My writing] reflects a desire. [The language] is not only meant to be understood, but also felt.”
Gently teasing her readers, she says with a smile, “But then again, I do not make compromises in my writing. It was hard for me to write it. And the readers have to make some effort [in understanding] too. The reader should be my partner and equal [in intellect].”
Reflecting on her own life, Al-Tahawy says that her bumpy ride through life, tragic experiences and travels have shaped her literary culture and approach to different areas in her novels. In her early life, Al-Tahawy did not receive the support she needed. She was raised in a traditional family, the last in line after six boys – a family that was not accustomed to the idea of a young woman pursuing a different dream surpassing undergraduate education, marriage, settling down and having a big family.
Even her marriage to poet Ahmed El-Shahawy, which in the wake of her writing career seems such a conventional decision, was seen as a departure from custom. Then again, marrying outside her tribe was seen as a break with the sacred tradition of old families.
Al-Tahawy’s writing style is fresh, she explains, and born out of her own interpretations of such experiences, never relying on stereotypes.
Nevertheless, Al-Tahawy said that romanticizing experiences through emotional writing does not form the core of a novel. “The [process] involves hard work, reading, learning and even researching.”
“It’s not enough that I love horses for instance, to be able to write about them. I need to know about them and to understand them. A novel is not solely a romantic state.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2741
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
IHT/DSE: Press reacts to Qalyoub railway tragedy (press round-up)
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 25, 2006
CAIRO: Egypt has dedicated LE 8.5 billion to refurbishing the railway network, reports national newspapers. The restoration plan, according to Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, has been modified so that the railway lines would be “rescued” in two years, instead of five.
The decision comes three days after a train crash killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 140 near the city of Qalyoub, 20 km from Cairo. The event provoked a wave of fury. Opposition columnists deemed the train disaster a result of “government corruption.” Some felt the decision to revamp the network was merely a measure to curb anger.
The event evoked images of an earlier tragedy in Upper Egypt, less than four years ago, when a fire on a train killed over 300 people in the wake of an Islamic holiday break. At the time, authorities blamed poor safety conditions for the blaze.
According to Al-Ahram newspaper, the government has approved Minister of Transport Mohammed Lutfi Mansour’s suggestion of dedicating LE 5 billion of the proceedings gained from Egypt’s new cell phone operator to the restoration of the rail network. The remaining LE 3.5 billion will be borrowed, according to the newspaper.
The government is still hushed concerning possible causes. The general prosecutor was quoted by Al-Ahram as saying that the accounts of the train driver and many of the railway station workers were contradictory, without disclosing any further details. Although disappointing, it is the first insight into the ongoing investigation. Preliminary results of the investigation into the causes of the accident are expected to be revealed within the next 48 hours, as of Thursday, according to the national Al-Akhbar.
Columnist Mohammad Barakat, of Al-Akhbar newspaper, is one who has deemed “corruption, laziness, negligence, haphazardness and laxness” the main causes behind the train tragedy. Barakat kicked off his Thursday analysis by saying that “it is easy to demand that engineer Mohammed Lutfi Mansour resign, or ask state chief Ahmed Nazif to dismiss him … All this is easy … But I believe the matter is much deeper than this.”
Barakat said that the event has two dimensions: backwardness and a complicated state of carelessness that has “become the norm.” It would be “a waste of time that after any tragedy or catastrophe, we look for a scapegoat to lay the responsibility on so that we may relax for sometime or curb people’s anger and [strong] emotions, or [even] numb their pain [until] the days go by and we find ourselves facing another tragedy.”
Al-Watani Al-Youm, the newly launched mouthpiece for the ruling National Democratic Party, has decided to publish an earlier interview with Mansour, where the minister was quoted outlining serious problems tarnishing Egypt’s transportation services.
“I have already announced that this sector is suffering from chronic problems,” Mansour was quoted as saying. “There exists no across-the-board strategy for reform … The human resources are not adequate. Reforming people [labor], caring for them and giving them access to financial resources that qualify them to work, achieve and succeed [is a key to this reform strategy].”
When asked whether or not he had pinpointed the exact breakdowns, Mansour said that “since day one, [we] started reviewing and evaluating the method of performance of all transportation sectors … [We] put and reformulated suitable plans to solve all these problems.”
Al-Masry Al-Youm carried a picture of Mansour, his distress evident and with what seems to be a streak of tears on his face. The headline read, “A fierce trying of government in the People’s Assembly.” According to the independent daily, some upper-house members have insisted on no less than a resignation. The tragedy has united parliament members against the government, according to the newspaper.
Mansour was also quoted as telling the assembly during their emergency meeting that he will immediately “resign if he fails to reform [the network].” The minister also promised that an independent committee would be formed to oversee and review the investigation into the incident, adding that he refuses to lay the entire blame on the “human element.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2739
First Published: August 25, 2006
CAIRO: Egypt has dedicated LE 8.5 billion to refurbishing the railway network, reports national newspapers. The restoration plan, according to Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, has been modified so that the railway lines would be “rescued” in two years, instead of five.
The decision comes three days after a train crash killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 140 near the city of Qalyoub, 20 km from Cairo. The event provoked a wave of fury. Opposition columnists deemed the train disaster a result of “government corruption.” Some felt the decision to revamp the network was merely a measure to curb anger.
The event evoked images of an earlier tragedy in Upper Egypt, less than four years ago, when a fire on a train killed over 300 people in the wake of an Islamic holiday break. At the time, authorities blamed poor safety conditions for the blaze.
According to Al-Ahram newspaper, the government has approved Minister of Transport Mohammed Lutfi Mansour’s suggestion of dedicating LE 5 billion of the proceedings gained from Egypt’s new cell phone operator to the restoration of the rail network. The remaining LE 3.5 billion will be borrowed, according to the newspaper.
The government is still hushed concerning possible causes. The general prosecutor was quoted by Al-Ahram as saying that the accounts of the train driver and many of the railway station workers were contradictory, without disclosing any further details. Although disappointing, it is the first insight into the ongoing investigation. Preliminary results of the investigation into the causes of the accident are expected to be revealed within the next 48 hours, as of Thursday, according to the national Al-Akhbar.
Columnist Mohammad Barakat, of Al-Akhbar newspaper, is one who has deemed “corruption, laziness, negligence, haphazardness and laxness” the main causes behind the train tragedy. Barakat kicked off his Thursday analysis by saying that “it is easy to demand that engineer Mohammed Lutfi Mansour resign, or ask state chief Ahmed Nazif to dismiss him … All this is easy … But I believe the matter is much deeper than this.”
Barakat said that the event has two dimensions: backwardness and a complicated state of carelessness that has “become the norm.” It would be “a waste of time that after any tragedy or catastrophe, we look for a scapegoat to lay the responsibility on so that we may relax for sometime or curb people’s anger and [strong] emotions, or [even] numb their pain [until] the days go by and we find ourselves facing another tragedy.”
Al-Watani Al-Youm, the newly launched mouthpiece for the ruling National Democratic Party, has decided to publish an earlier interview with Mansour, where the minister was quoted outlining serious problems tarnishing Egypt’s transportation services.
“I have already announced that this sector is suffering from chronic problems,” Mansour was quoted as saying. “There exists no across-the-board strategy for reform … The human resources are not adequate. Reforming people [labor], caring for them and giving them access to financial resources that qualify them to work, achieve and succeed [is a key to this reform strategy].”
When asked whether or not he had pinpointed the exact breakdowns, Mansour said that “since day one, [we] started reviewing and evaluating the method of performance of all transportation sectors … [We] put and reformulated suitable plans to solve all these problems.”
Al-Masry Al-Youm carried a picture of Mansour, his distress evident and with what seems to be a streak of tears on his face. The headline read, “A fierce trying of government in the People’s Assembly.” According to the independent daily, some upper-house members have insisted on no less than a resignation. The tragedy has united parliament members against the government, according to the newspaper.
Mansour was also quoted as telling the assembly during their emergency meeting that he will immediately “resign if he fails to reform [the network].” The minister also promised that an independent committee would be formed to oversee and review the investigation into the incident, adding that he refuses to lay the entire blame on the “human element.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2739
IHT/DSE: Steps taken to heal Arab rift over Lebanon (press round-up)
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 22, 2006
CAIRO: Headlines of national newspapers are centering on President Hosni Mubarak’s meetings with the princes of Qatar and Kuwait, along with his talks with several Arab heads, including Syrian diplomats. The leaders convened for an emergency meeting in Egypt, discussed aid to Lebanon and reconstruction, as well as “Arab unity.”
The headlines feature reassurances of “sacred and brotherly relations” between Egypt and Syria, and mutual respect between Egypt and other Arab nations.
Such “reassurances” are coupled with Syrian Communication Minister Mohsen Bilal’s statements that “any badmouthing of Egypt’s president or people” is not even possible. Al-Akhbar newspaper quotes Bilal as saying that Egyptian-Syrian relations are “strategic” and that the two countries “are partners in everything … It is fated that they be on the same boat.”
Bilal’s statements and similar “kind remarks” from other Arab leaders concerning Egypt, noticeably underscored in the national media, came after Syrian President Bashar El-Assad lashed out at Arab leaders, following the Israeli-Lebanese cease-fire.
In a public speech, broadcast by television networks around the region, El-Assad told his audience that the Lebanese crisis had exposed “half-men,” those who did not support Hezbollah.
The Arab media, primarily the Egyptian press, slammed the Syrian president. His remarks have sparked wide-scale disapproval and anger.
In response, the Syrian foreign ministry was quoted as saying that the president did not refer to Arab leaders by the phrase “half-men.” The president “is keen on personal and official relationships” and on “Arab solidarity,” the minister said, according to an Associated Press report. “What [he] meant by this phrase was those individuals inside Syria and maybe outside it who threw doubts on the ability of the resistance to achieve victory.”
Similar statements were also stated by the Qatari foreign minister, who, without mentioning specifics had, in the eyes of many, clearly criticized Egypt’s stance during the Israeli offensive on Lebanon.
Such remarks have also spurred angry reactions, especially from national newspaper columnists who rushed to write about Egypt’s “wise leadership” and correct position during the ongoing war, highlighting that “heated and passionate” reactions usually lead nowhere.
Mubarak, in response to the leaders’ remarks and in defense of Egypt’s highly criticized policies, was quoted by the Middle East News Agency as saying that the Middle East crisis could not withstand “cheap rhetoric.”
On a different level, independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm published a round-up of expected government-proposed constitutional amendments likely to be discussed during the People’s Assembly’s upcoming session. According to one headline, presidential terms will not be approached; a topic that many members of the opposition were hoping would be addressed. Many political forces had expressed a hope that the presidential term would be limited to four years and that reelection should be limited to a given number of terms.
The newspaper listed the amendments that are expected to undergo alterations and revisions, with the controversial article 88 topping the list. This article, outlining judicial authority, is expected to be amended to limit judicial control over local elections, in line with a proposal by the government and with support from the ruling National Democratic Party.
The amendment suggests forming a non-judicial independent committee to oversee the election process. Members of the still-to-be formed committee are to be appointed by the government. In theory, the appointments will be based on recommendations from the People’s Assembly.
The proposed amendment has provoked angry reactions and expressions of concern, especially from the Judges Club, which has threatened to boycott the upcoming localities elections if such an amendment is passed.
Al-Masry Al-Youm also highlighted Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammed Mahdi Akef’s intense statements concerning Arab leaders. According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the leader has deemed “some Arab leaders worse than the Israelis.”
“If [these leaders] had not been monotheists, we would have killed them,” said Akef in a heated statement, adding that the leaders’ position during the Israeli-Lebanese bloodshed was “humiliating and shameful.”
“Do these leaders want to give up our Arab lands to international gangsters?” he said rhetorically.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2702
First Published: August 22, 2006
CAIRO: Headlines of national newspapers are centering on President Hosni Mubarak’s meetings with the princes of Qatar and Kuwait, along with his talks with several Arab heads, including Syrian diplomats. The leaders convened for an emergency meeting in Egypt, discussed aid to Lebanon and reconstruction, as well as “Arab unity.”
The headlines feature reassurances of “sacred and brotherly relations” between Egypt and Syria, and mutual respect between Egypt and other Arab nations.
Such “reassurances” are coupled with Syrian Communication Minister Mohsen Bilal’s statements that “any badmouthing of Egypt’s president or people” is not even possible. Al-Akhbar newspaper quotes Bilal as saying that Egyptian-Syrian relations are “strategic” and that the two countries “are partners in everything … It is fated that they be on the same boat.”
Bilal’s statements and similar “kind remarks” from other Arab leaders concerning Egypt, noticeably underscored in the national media, came after Syrian President Bashar El-Assad lashed out at Arab leaders, following the Israeli-Lebanese cease-fire.
In a public speech, broadcast by television networks around the region, El-Assad told his audience that the Lebanese crisis had exposed “half-men,” those who did not support Hezbollah.
The Arab media, primarily the Egyptian press, slammed the Syrian president. His remarks have sparked wide-scale disapproval and anger.
In response, the Syrian foreign ministry was quoted as saying that the president did not refer to Arab leaders by the phrase “half-men.” The president “is keen on personal and official relationships” and on “Arab solidarity,” the minister said, according to an Associated Press report. “What [he] meant by this phrase was those individuals inside Syria and maybe outside it who threw doubts on the ability of the resistance to achieve victory.”
Similar statements were also stated by the Qatari foreign minister, who, without mentioning specifics had, in the eyes of many, clearly criticized Egypt’s stance during the Israeli offensive on Lebanon.
Such remarks have also spurred angry reactions, especially from national newspaper columnists who rushed to write about Egypt’s “wise leadership” and correct position during the ongoing war, highlighting that “heated and passionate” reactions usually lead nowhere.
Mubarak, in response to the leaders’ remarks and in defense of Egypt’s highly criticized policies, was quoted by the Middle East News Agency as saying that the Middle East crisis could not withstand “cheap rhetoric.”
On a different level, independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm published a round-up of expected government-proposed constitutional amendments likely to be discussed during the People’s Assembly’s upcoming session. According to one headline, presidential terms will not be approached; a topic that many members of the opposition were hoping would be addressed. Many political forces had expressed a hope that the presidential term would be limited to four years and that reelection should be limited to a given number of terms.
The newspaper listed the amendments that are expected to undergo alterations and revisions, with the controversial article 88 topping the list. This article, outlining judicial authority, is expected to be amended to limit judicial control over local elections, in line with a proposal by the government and with support from the ruling National Democratic Party.
The amendment suggests forming a non-judicial independent committee to oversee the election process. Members of the still-to-be formed committee are to be appointed by the government. In theory, the appointments will be based on recommendations from the People’s Assembly.
The proposed amendment has provoked angry reactions and expressions of concern, especially from the Judges Club, which has threatened to boycott the upcoming localities elections if such an amendment is passed.
Al-Masry Al-Youm also highlighted Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammed Mahdi Akef’s intense statements concerning Arab leaders. According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the leader has deemed “some Arab leaders worse than the Israelis.”
“If [these leaders] had not been monotheists, we would have killed them,” said Akef in a heated statement, adding that the leaders’ position during the Israeli-Lebanese bloodshed was “humiliating and shameful.”
“Do these leaders want to give up our Arab lands to international gangsters?” he said rhetorically.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2702
IHT/DSE: Judges threaten to boycott upcoming elections
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 21, 2006
Judges’ Club protests proposed constitutional amendment
CAIRO: Egyptian judges have announced their decision to abstain from their task as election supervisors if the government refuses to grant them unrestricted oversight of the election process.
Nevertheless, the decision is clearly provisional, constituting more of threats, as some reports have chosen to put it, one provoked by a government-proposed constitution amendment that is widely seen as stifling judicial authority. It is also tied to the People’s Assembly’s, the upper house of parliament’s, final decision on whether to pass the controversial amendment.
The government has recently proposed an amendment to article 88, which outlines judicial supervision over ballot stations. In chapter five of the constitution, the abovementioned article states that “the law shall determine the conditions which members of the [People’s] Assembly must fulfill as well as the rules of election and referendum, while the ballot shall be conducted under the supervision of the members of a judiciary organ.”
The proposal, however, clearly undercuts the judges’ authority and gives a still-unnamed “independent non-judicial committee” the right to supervise elections. This still-to-be-formed committee, however, should theoretically include representatives of the judiciary but will not be exclusive to the judges, according to initial reports on the proposal.
The government will be in charge of the appointment of committee members; another notion that is causing unrest among political analysts and concerned groups. The People’s Assembly has not specified appointment criteria for the committee, raising speculations about the regulations that govern the selection process and whether this selection will conform to ethical standards.
“Hypothetically, the committee should include well-respected and objective figures, whose integrity is undoubted,” Nasser Amin, law expert and head of the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary, tells The Daily Star Egypt. “The proposed law did not specify the nature [of the selection process] since it is the [People’s] Assembly’s role to handle the selection by recommending names.”
In theory, the amendment should be considered a positive step forward toward reform, since it aims to include different civil and independent forces in Egypt’s much-criticized election process. “The reality, however, is different,” comments Amin, who said he believes the real purpose of the law is to restrain the authority of judges, especially after they made a stand against corruption in last year’s presidential elections.
In last year’s elections, two judges, Mahmoud Mekki and Hisham Al-Bastawisy, accused the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of thuggery and deemed the party responsible for the violence that marred the process. The judges were given disciplinary hearings and were accused of leaking information to the press as they were supervising the presidential ballots.
The judges received an almost unprecedented level of support from many political forces and civil society members, sending a shockwave through Egypt’s political arena, where opposition forces used the opportunity to rally for more freedom and independence for the judicial system.
The repercussions of such an opposition from the side of judicial entities were “overwhelming,” says Amin. “That’s why there is a belief that this [proposed amendment] might very well be designed to indirectly deny the judges [the right] to oversee elections."
“There is also an inherent fear that the government will appoint biased members in this [recommended] committee,” says Amin. “The choice of the judges included is also questionable. Moreover, the government could appoint NDP members. It is unethical but legally nothing could prevent them.”
The amendment proposal was immediately hailed by some upper house members affiliated with the NDP, who told the press that they are willing to back it. According to Al-Wafd party newspaper, some NDP members have proposed that any judicial supervision, even if limited, should be restricted to “general constituencies.”
The proposal, on the other hand, spurred angry reactions from the judges, primarily the Judges Club, who threatened to boycott the upcoming localities elections if the People’s Assembly passes the law.
Zakariyya Abdel-Aziz, head of the Judges Club, told the press that he personally protested the law and that he informed Fathi Sorour, People’s Assembly head, of both his objection and the club’s decision to boycott the upcoming local elections.
In effect, refraining from election supervision could easily backfire on the people, especially if NDP members dominate the elections unsupervised. However, “the judges are using this as a tool to pressure [both] the government, and the parliament,” says Amin.
Muslim Brotherhood upper house members, who constitute the largest opposition bloc in parliament, have vehemently opposed the amendment as well. Hamdi Hassan, the bloc’s spokesman, told the press that the Brotherhood considered the move a “conspiracy against the judicial system.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2692
First Published: August 21, 2006
Judges’ Club protests proposed constitutional amendment
CAIRO: Egyptian judges have announced their decision to abstain from their task as election supervisors if the government refuses to grant them unrestricted oversight of the election process.
Nevertheless, the decision is clearly provisional, constituting more of threats, as some reports have chosen to put it, one provoked by a government-proposed constitution amendment that is widely seen as stifling judicial authority. It is also tied to the People’s Assembly’s, the upper house of parliament’s, final decision on whether to pass the controversial amendment.
The government has recently proposed an amendment to article 88, which outlines judicial supervision over ballot stations. In chapter five of the constitution, the abovementioned article states that “the law shall determine the conditions which members of the [People’s] Assembly must fulfill as well as the rules of election and referendum, while the ballot shall be conducted under the supervision of the members of a judiciary organ.”
The proposal, however, clearly undercuts the judges’ authority and gives a still-unnamed “independent non-judicial committee” the right to supervise elections. This still-to-be-formed committee, however, should theoretically include representatives of the judiciary but will not be exclusive to the judges, according to initial reports on the proposal.
The government will be in charge of the appointment of committee members; another notion that is causing unrest among political analysts and concerned groups. The People’s Assembly has not specified appointment criteria for the committee, raising speculations about the regulations that govern the selection process and whether this selection will conform to ethical standards.
“Hypothetically, the committee should include well-respected and objective figures, whose integrity is undoubted,” Nasser Amin, law expert and head of the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary, tells The Daily Star Egypt. “The proposed law did not specify the nature [of the selection process] since it is the [People’s] Assembly’s role to handle the selection by recommending names.”
In theory, the amendment should be considered a positive step forward toward reform, since it aims to include different civil and independent forces in Egypt’s much-criticized election process. “The reality, however, is different,” comments Amin, who said he believes the real purpose of the law is to restrain the authority of judges, especially after they made a stand against corruption in last year’s presidential elections.
In last year’s elections, two judges, Mahmoud Mekki and Hisham Al-Bastawisy, accused the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of thuggery and deemed the party responsible for the violence that marred the process. The judges were given disciplinary hearings and were accused of leaking information to the press as they were supervising the presidential ballots.
The judges received an almost unprecedented level of support from many political forces and civil society members, sending a shockwave through Egypt’s political arena, where opposition forces used the opportunity to rally for more freedom and independence for the judicial system.
The repercussions of such an opposition from the side of judicial entities were “overwhelming,” says Amin. “That’s why there is a belief that this [proposed amendment] might very well be designed to indirectly deny the judges [the right] to oversee elections."
“There is also an inherent fear that the government will appoint biased members in this [recommended] committee,” says Amin. “The choice of the judges included is also questionable. Moreover, the government could appoint NDP members. It is unethical but legally nothing could prevent them.”
The amendment proposal was immediately hailed by some upper house members affiliated with the NDP, who told the press that they are willing to back it. According to Al-Wafd party newspaper, some NDP members have proposed that any judicial supervision, even if limited, should be restricted to “general constituencies.”
The proposal, on the other hand, spurred angry reactions from the judges, primarily the Judges Club, who threatened to boycott the upcoming localities elections if the People’s Assembly passes the law.
Zakariyya Abdel-Aziz, head of the Judges Club, told the press that he personally protested the law and that he informed Fathi Sorour, People’s Assembly head, of both his objection and the club’s decision to boycott the upcoming local elections.
In effect, refraining from election supervision could easily backfire on the people, especially if NDP members dominate the elections unsupervised. However, “the judges are using this as a tool to pressure [both] the government, and the parliament,” says Amin.
Muslim Brotherhood upper house members, who constitute the largest opposition bloc in parliament, have vehemently opposed the amendment as well. Hamdi Hassan, the bloc’s spokesman, told the press that the Brotherhood considered the move a “conspiracy against the judicial system.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2692
IHT/DSE: Ceasefire in Lebanon still dominating local headlines
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 18, 2006
CAIRO: The latest news of the Israeli-Lebanese war continues to find its way into front page headlines. Newspapers report on what some of them have described as “the disorder during” the deployment of the United Nations international peacekeeping forces and Lebanese army in the south.
Even as part of its forces withdraws, Israel insists that a portion of the Israeli army will remain across the southern border until the Unifil has arrived in full number and are adequately branched out in the area, reports the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Israel, reports the newspaper, has even hinted that it may halt its withdrawal if these forces are not fully deployed in the next few days, a notion that has spurred speculations about Israel’s intentions.
The UN-backed cease-fire is nevertheless still in effect, despite Israel’s warnings and Hezbollah’s comments that it will neither leave the south nor discuss disarmament, another notion that has caused concerns among Arab analysts.
The cease-fire has guaranteed a period of relative normality for the war-stricken country, according to newspapers, especially as those who had fled Beirut return to their homes. Newspapers feature front page pictures of what they have called “the return” – a woman standing on the rubble of what once might have been her house and Israeli soldiers walking back toward their country and away from Lebanon, relief clearly showing on their faces.
"People are impatient to go back to their normal life,” a volunteer who had been helping with the relief effort in one park was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying. The network reported that businesses in Beirut have reopened and traffic jams have started to form on the city’s streets for the first time in weeks, after thousands of refugees who fled their homes in the south of the country left the schools and public parks where they had established make-shift camps.
Peace across Israel’s northern borders has also been maintained, despite earlier reports of warning sirens sounding for the first time since the Israeli-Hezbollah truce. The sirens were later reported to be false alarms.
Meanwhile, the Bahrain news agency quotes Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit as saying that “Egypt does not accept that its citizens [get killed] in Lebanon by Arab or Israeli forces.” Egypt has recently renewed its refusal to participate in the UN peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon, without giving reasons for this unpopular decision.
According to BNA, Abul-Gheit also stressed in a TV interview that cutting the Israeli-Egyptian ties is not a wise policy or even an option because of an agreement between the two countries, adding “Egypt respects its commitments.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2665
First Published: August 18, 2006
CAIRO: The latest news of the Israeli-Lebanese war continues to find its way into front page headlines. Newspapers report on what some of them have described as “the disorder during” the deployment of the United Nations international peacekeeping forces and Lebanese army in the south.
Even as part of its forces withdraws, Israel insists that a portion of the Israeli army will remain across the southern border until the Unifil has arrived in full number and are adequately branched out in the area, reports the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Israel, reports the newspaper, has even hinted that it may halt its withdrawal if these forces are not fully deployed in the next few days, a notion that has spurred speculations about Israel’s intentions.
The UN-backed cease-fire is nevertheless still in effect, despite Israel’s warnings and Hezbollah’s comments that it will neither leave the south nor discuss disarmament, another notion that has caused concerns among Arab analysts.
The cease-fire has guaranteed a period of relative normality for the war-stricken country, according to newspapers, especially as those who had fled Beirut return to their homes. Newspapers feature front page pictures of what they have called “the return” – a woman standing on the rubble of what once might have been her house and Israeli soldiers walking back toward their country and away from Lebanon, relief clearly showing on their faces.
"People are impatient to go back to their normal life,” a volunteer who had been helping with the relief effort in one park was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying. The network reported that businesses in Beirut have reopened and traffic jams have started to form on the city’s streets for the first time in weeks, after thousands of refugees who fled their homes in the south of the country left the schools and public parks where they had established make-shift camps.
Peace across Israel’s northern borders has also been maintained, despite earlier reports of warning sirens sounding for the first time since the Israeli-Hezbollah truce. The sirens were later reported to be false alarms.
Meanwhile, the Bahrain news agency quotes Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit as saying that “Egypt does not accept that its citizens [get killed] in Lebanon by Arab or Israeli forces.” Egypt has recently renewed its refusal to participate in the UN peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon, without giving reasons for this unpopular decision.
According to BNA, Abul-Gheit also stressed in a TV interview that cutting the Israeli-Egyptian ties is not a wise policy or even an option because of an agreement between the two countries, adding “Egypt respects its commitments.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2665
IHT/DSE: UN-called ceasefire spurs reactions
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 15, 2006
Coverage on the Israeli-Lebanese conflict continues as the bloodshed seems to be witnessing its last hours
CAIRO: Egypt’s newspapers continue to report on what they call “the last hours” of the Israeli-Lebanese exchange of fire after both countries’ cabinets approved a United Nations cease-fire deal, due 8 a.m. Monday. In their columns, many of the papers’ political analysts have roughly calculated damage to both countries, while arguing the notion of the disarmament of Shiite militant group Hezbollah and the repercussions it might have on Lebanese security.
“Fatal damage to Israel in [its] last hours,” reads an Al-Akhbar headline, referring to the fallout from the continuing battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces on the Jewish state. Hezbollah targeted Israeli tanks and soldiers in the south of Lebanon hours before the truce was officially implemented.
Israel has also been carrying out air raids on the country, chiefly pounding on the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburb, killing at least seven civilians and wounding dozens. According to reports, more than 20 explosions rocked the southern suburb in less than two minutes. One rumor had it that Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s spiritual leader and first in command, was wounded, but Al-Jazeera’s Beirut correspondent denied the reports shortly after they circulated, adding that none of the group’s leaders were hurt.
Although bound by the UN resolution, Israel has warned that using force against Hezbollah is still possible, even after a cease-fire, in order to prevent the group from rearming. The Israeli foreign minister also told the press that Israeli forces will only withdraw from the south when the international peacekeeping forces have been deployed, adding that the release of two Israeli soldiers, captured by Hezbollah guerillas, is a prerequisite.
Israel’s comments have lead some newspapers, including Al-Akhbar, to express their concern that Israel might very well recommence its offensive against Lebanon, even in the presence of a binding UN security council peace plan.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government welcomed the UN resolution, albeit with reservations, according to President Hosni Mubarak, who called the peace deal “unbalanced … [Nevertheless] a step in the right direction.” Mubarak, who was quoted by Al-Akhbar, urged Israel to abide by the UN resolution “in good intention” and to commit to peace.
In an earlier statement, Mubarak had said that Egypt would support any international action aimed at promoting peace in the region and that Egypt’s policy is “the same and is clear,” explaining no further. The president also said that Egypt is making efforts toward the release of the Israeli-captured Palestinian premier (affiliated with Hamas) and his companions.
*Addressing the need for an emergency Arab summit, which was repeatedly called for during the Israeli-Lebanese bloodshed and whose date is still being debated, Mubarak only said that a summit needs adequate preparations in order to produce an outcome “that the [Arab] peoples would approve.”
Israel’s position and the called-for cease-fire have, in the meanwhile, spurred expectations marked by concern in Egypt’s independent press.
Amr Hashem Rabie, of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Masry Al-Youm in an interview that the UN resolution has benefited both Lebanon and Israel. “However, the resolution did not decide on the nationality of the Shebaa farms (deemed a Lebanese territory by Hezbollah), one of the main reasons an [Israeli] occupation was still present in Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s cabinet has not decided on the state of Hezbollah’s arms and thus postponed their previously scheduled session; opinions are clearly split.
Similar confusion was evident among analysts, with some claiming that Israel’s actions and demands are actually meant to decapitate Hezbollah, not only disarm it, while others expressed fears that disarming the resistance group would only empower Israel and increase Lebanon’s vulnerability.
“The [Lebanese] army is no longer capable of protecting the Lebanese borders, we can’t guarantee the performance of this army,” political analyst Ahmed Al-Mosalemany was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm as saying. “The [disarmament] of Hezbollah is a loss for the national security of Lebanon and its presence in the south brings safety to Lebanon, especially while the [UN] security council acknowledges it and does not obligate it to remove arms.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2616
First Published: August 15, 2006
Coverage on the Israeli-Lebanese conflict continues as the bloodshed seems to be witnessing its last hours
CAIRO: Egypt’s newspapers continue to report on what they call “the last hours” of the Israeli-Lebanese exchange of fire after both countries’ cabinets approved a United Nations cease-fire deal, due 8 a.m. Monday. In their columns, many of the papers’ political analysts have roughly calculated damage to both countries, while arguing the notion of the disarmament of Shiite militant group Hezbollah and the repercussions it might have on Lebanese security.
“Fatal damage to Israel in [its] last hours,” reads an Al-Akhbar headline, referring to the fallout from the continuing battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces on the Jewish state. Hezbollah targeted Israeli tanks and soldiers in the south of Lebanon hours before the truce was officially implemented.
Israel has also been carrying out air raids on the country, chiefly pounding on the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburb, killing at least seven civilians and wounding dozens. According to reports, more than 20 explosions rocked the southern suburb in less than two minutes. One rumor had it that Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s spiritual leader and first in command, was wounded, but Al-Jazeera’s Beirut correspondent denied the reports shortly after they circulated, adding that none of the group’s leaders were hurt.
Although bound by the UN resolution, Israel has warned that using force against Hezbollah is still possible, even after a cease-fire, in order to prevent the group from rearming. The Israeli foreign minister also told the press that Israeli forces will only withdraw from the south when the international peacekeeping forces have been deployed, adding that the release of two Israeli soldiers, captured by Hezbollah guerillas, is a prerequisite.
Israel’s comments have lead some newspapers, including Al-Akhbar, to express their concern that Israel might very well recommence its offensive against Lebanon, even in the presence of a binding UN security council peace plan.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government welcomed the UN resolution, albeit with reservations, according to President Hosni Mubarak, who called the peace deal “unbalanced … [Nevertheless] a step in the right direction.” Mubarak, who was quoted by Al-Akhbar, urged Israel to abide by the UN resolution “in good intention” and to commit to peace.
In an earlier statement, Mubarak had said that Egypt would support any international action aimed at promoting peace in the region and that Egypt’s policy is “the same and is clear,” explaining no further. The president also said that Egypt is making efforts toward the release of the Israeli-captured Palestinian premier (affiliated with Hamas) and his companions.
*Addressing the need for an emergency Arab summit, which was repeatedly called for during the Israeli-Lebanese bloodshed and whose date is still being debated, Mubarak only said that a summit needs adequate preparations in order to produce an outcome “that the [Arab] peoples would approve.”
Israel’s position and the called-for cease-fire have, in the meanwhile, spurred expectations marked by concern in Egypt’s independent press.
Amr Hashem Rabie, of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Masry Al-Youm in an interview that the UN resolution has benefited both Lebanon and Israel. “However, the resolution did not decide on the nationality of the Shebaa farms (deemed a Lebanese territory by Hezbollah), one of the main reasons an [Israeli] occupation was still present in Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s cabinet has not decided on the state of Hezbollah’s arms and thus postponed their previously scheduled session; opinions are clearly split.
Similar confusion was evident among analysts, with some claiming that Israel’s actions and demands are actually meant to decapitate Hezbollah, not only disarm it, while others expressed fears that disarming the resistance group would only empower Israel and increase Lebanon’s vulnerability.
“The [Lebanese] army is no longer capable of protecting the Lebanese borders, we can’t guarantee the performance of this army,” political analyst Ahmed Al-Mosalemany was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm as saying. “The [disarmament] of Hezbollah is a loss for the national security of Lebanon and its presence in the south brings safety to Lebanon, especially while the [UN] security council acknowledges it and does not obligate it to remove arms.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2616
IHT/DSE: Israel announces war will continue (press round-up)
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 11, 2006
Press coverage concentrates on Israeli proclamation
CAIRO: In a blood-red headline, Al-Masry Al-Youm features the news of the Israeli decision to continue its offensive on Lebanon for another month, “Tel Aviv: The war will continue for 30 more days.”
“Israel decides to expand its ground operations … the Security Council will not reach a decision ‘before days,’” read another headline. A front page picture shows a funeral where a large crowd of Lebanese men, bearded sheikhs in robes and shaved plain-clothed citizens are all huddled around a dozen cloth-wrapped bodies on stretchers.
The message the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm seems to be sending is simple and clear, one could argue, as the war rages on, more Lebanese innocents are killed, in south, east and central Lebanon not just in the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs. Meanwhile the Security Council is silently watching. What are at stake here, it seems, is Lebanese lives, as Al-Masry Al-Youm chooses to put it, in agreement with other opposition and independent media who took a similar approach to war coverage.
Al-Masry Al-Youm is only one example. Independent newspapers are yet again primarily focusing on the reluctance of the United Nations’ Security Council and Arab governments to impose a cease-fire. Arab governments have not gone beyond the level of verbally, almost mildly and apologetically, condemning the Israeli air strikes, praising each other’s positions or sending limited aid into Beirut, as the city’s infrastructure is burnt down.
“We are not asking for a full-fledged war with Israel, or even a military engagement in Lebanon,” writes analyst and columnist Amr Al-Shobaky but for an effective peace deal instead of the “failure [of Egypt] to manipulate the course of peace as Israel pounds on Lebanon … [Egypt’s leadership is acting] in a mild and disappointing fashion.”
On the other hand, the national newspapers focus on Israeli damage and the negative impact the war has had on the Jewish state. Perhaps this is an attempt from the side of the national media to curb the growing anger of the man on the street. Then again the average Egyptian citizen has been constantly bombarded for the past few weeks by satellite television images of disemboweled children, wailing women and burning rubble on stations like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya.
Al-Ahram reports that 11 Israeli soldiers have been killed and at least 15 were wounded and that Israel, in a first since the beginning of the Israeli-Lebanese exchange of fire, had to evacuate one of its cities near the borders “because of rockets,” clearly Hezbollah’s but Al-Ahram left this piece of information for the reader to figure out. The name of the Shiite militia group is rarely mentioned in any of the headlines, and many of the Lebanon-related stories.
A lone soldier, his nose apparently injured and covered by a patch, is the picture Al-Akhbar chose to put on its front page coupled by a large caption reading: “Breaking the nose of Israel.”
The picture featured on Al-Ahram’s front page shows an Israeli Jew covering his face and shedding tears for one Israeli soldier killed in the south of Lebanon, according to the caption.
Other front page news includes that of an Egyptian ship carrying a full load of humanitarian aid on its way to Lebanon “at President’s Hosni Mubarak command.” In another news item, Lebanese Premier Fouad Seniora praised Mubarak’s “stand and support for Lebanon and its people.”
“The visit of the Egyptian convoy to Lebanon proved that Lebanon is no longer alone; and that it is supported by a national Arabic front,” Seniora was quoted by Al-Ahram as saying. “Egypt does not give up on its Arabic brothers,” the premier added.
Columnists in independent newspapers focused almost primarily on the war; even when the editor of Al-Masry Al-Youm chose to tackle another issue, he began his column with an apology for not writing about Lebanon.
“Where are all the communication and media ministers in the Arab world?” pleads columnist Sabry Ghoneim in Al-Masry Al-Youm, referring to what he deems the “failure” of the Arabic media to promote the Lebanese cause. “What are they doing in regard to the events in Lebanon?”
Ghoneim argues in his column that the media leaders in the Arab world have failed the Lebanese cause; leading to the success of “the propaganda of the Zionist lobby.” According to Ghoneim, “the Zionist lobby succeeded in covering up the massacres that occurred in Lebanon … the truth never reached the European or the American street.”
“They have not seen the pictures of mass killings and murder … pictures of destruction … pictures of explosions or children buried under the rubble,” writes Ghoneim. “We have expected that the Arabic media ministers would do something about this.” But they didn’t, said the author, in spite of the resources available through Arab-funded satellite television channels.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2568
First Published: August 11, 2006
Press coverage concentrates on Israeli proclamation
CAIRO: In a blood-red headline, Al-Masry Al-Youm features the news of the Israeli decision to continue its offensive on Lebanon for another month, “Tel Aviv: The war will continue for 30 more days.”
“Israel decides to expand its ground operations … the Security Council will not reach a decision ‘before days,’” read another headline. A front page picture shows a funeral where a large crowd of Lebanese men, bearded sheikhs in robes and shaved plain-clothed citizens are all huddled around a dozen cloth-wrapped bodies on stretchers.
The message the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm seems to be sending is simple and clear, one could argue, as the war rages on, more Lebanese innocents are killed, in south, east and central Lebanon not just in the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs. Meanwhile the Security Council is silently watching. What are at stake here, it seems, is Lebanese lives, as Al-Masry Al-Youm chooses to put it, in agreement with other opposition and independent media who took a similar approach to war coverage.
Al-Masry Al-Youm is only one example. Independent newspapers are yet again primarily focusing on the reluctance of the United Nations’ Security Council and Arab governments to impose a cease-fire. Arab governments have not gone beyond the level of verbally, almost mildly and apologetically, condemning the Israeli air strikes, praising each other’s positions or sending limited aid into Beirut, as the city’s infrastructure is burnt down.
“We are not asking for a full-fledged war with Israel, or even a military engagement in Lebanon,” writes analyst and columnist Amr Al-Shobaky but for an effective peace deal instead of the “failure [of Egypt] to manipulate the course of peace as Israel pounds on Lebanon … [Egypt’s leadership is acting] in a mild and disappointing fashion.”
On the other hand, the national newspapers focus on Israeli damage and the negative impact the war has had on the Jewish state. Perhaps this is an attempt from the side of the national media to curb the growing anger of the man on the street. Then again the average Egyptian citizen has been constantly bombarded for the past few weeks by satellite television images of disemboweled children, wailing women and burning rubble on stations like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya.
Al-Ahram reports that 11 Israeli soldiers have been killed and at least 15 were wounded and that Israel, in a first since the beginning of the Israeli-Lebanese exchange of fire, had to evacuate one of its cities near the borders “because of rockets,” clearly Hezbollah’s but Al-Ahram left this piece of information for the reader to figure out. The name of the Shiite militia group is rarely mentioned in any of the headlines, and many of the Lebanon-related stories.
A lone soldier, his nose apparently injured and covered by a patch, is the picture Al-Akhbar chose to put on its front page coupled by a large caption reading: “Breaking the nose of Israel.”
The picture featured on Al-Ahram’s front page shows an Israeli Jew covering his face and shedding tears for one Israeli soldier killed in the south of Lebanon, according to the caption.
Other front page news includes that of an Egyptian ship carrying a full load of humanitarian aid on its way to Lebanon “at President’s Hosni Mubarak command.” In another news item, Lebanese Premier Fouad Seniora praised Mubarak’s “stand and support for Lebanon and its people.”
“The visit of the Egyptian convoy to Lebanon proved that Lebanon is no longer alone; and that it is supported by a national Arabic front,” Seniora was quoted by Al-Ahram as saying. “Egypt does not give up on its Arabic brothers,” the premier added.
Columnists in independent newspapers focused almost primarily on the war; even when the editor of Al-Masry Al-Youm chose to tackle another issue, he began his column with an apology for not writing about Lebanon.
“Where are all the communication and media ministers in the Arab world?” pleads columnist Sabry Ghoneim in Al-Masry Al-Youm, referring to what he deems the “failure” of the Arabic media to promote the Lebanese cause. “What are they doing in regard to the events in Lebanon?”
Ghoneim argues in his column that the media leaders in the Arab world have failed the Lebanese cause; leading to the success of “the propaganda of the Zionist lobby.” According to Ghoneim, “the Zionist lobby succeeded in covering up the massacres that occurred in Lebanon … the truth never reached the European or the American street.”
“They have not seen the pictures of mass killings and murder … pictures of destruction … pictures of explosions or children buried under the rubble,” writes Ghoneim. “We have expected that the Arabic media ministers would do something about this.” But they didn’t, said the author, in spite of the resources available through Arab-funded satellite television channels.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2568
IHT/DSE: Local news takes a backseat to Lebanon
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 8, 2006
Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya denies ties with Al-Qaeda
CAIRO: Egypt-based Islamic group Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya said they denounce violence and deny having any connections with Al-Qaeda militants, reports the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm on its front page.
In a video message broadcast Saturday by Al-Jazeera network, the terror group’s second in command Ayman Al-Zawahri announced what Al-Qaeda deemed “the good news” of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya’s key figures joining their network. No details or names were mentioned. The Egyptian-born only said that "a number" of the Egyptian Islamic leadership is now welcome "under the Al-Qaeda banner."
According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, shortly after Al-Zawahri’s tape was broadcasted, another video message appeared with leading member of the Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya Mohammad Khalil Al-Hakayma confirming the news, saying that “he and other knights of the group” have joined Al-Qaeda. Al-Hakayma criticized the infamous Islamic group though, saying they have fallen into “mistakes as a result of government and American pressures.”
In response, leadership of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya said “they differed with Al-Qaeda in ideology,” denying knowledge of Al-Hakayma or any links with the terror group.
Meanwhile, the Italian news agency AKI reports a statement posted on the Internet by the Egyptian group's leadership saying that "though some members [of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya] have joined Al Zawahiri's group, as he himself confirmed in the video message, it is improbable that the majority of our members would follow their path.
"Our movement has rejected violence since 1997 and we have held fast to this principle. Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya categorically denies any merger between itself and the militants of Al-Qaeda," the statement reportedly read.
Signed by Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya’s leader, Sheikh Abdel-Akher Hamad, the statement, according to AKI, described those members of the group who have defected to Al-Qaeda as "minor elements" such as Mohamed Al-Islambouli, the younger brother of Khaled Al-Islambouli, who was charged with assassinating President Anwar Al-Sadat in 1979 and was later executed. Nevertheless, in Al-Masry Al-Youm, a relative of the younger Al-Islambouli denied any ties between the militant’s brother and the group.
In the meantime, Egypt’s independent and opposition newspapers continue to feature news of the Israeli offensive on Lebanon and Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes; hailing the latter in some instances, focusing primarily on the war and dedicating their front pages solely to war coverage at the expense of local news.
The newspapers seemly rejoiced in the death of 14 Israeli soldiers as a result of Hezbollah rockets, with pictures of dead soldiers carried away on stretchers dominating the front pages, temporarily replacing pictures of rubble, dead children and wounded victims of the Israeli air strikes.
Support for Hezbollah seems to be rising, as the Egyptian press has become more sympathetic with the group, which is seen as fighting a hard battle alone. Al-Masry Al-Youm for instance chose to call Hezbollah “the resistance,” as opposed to a militant group, while national newspapers refrain from labeling the Lebanese Shiite group, following weeks of subtle negative comments about its legitimacy.
The civilian death toll is rising in Lebanon, in spite of southern resistance from Hezbollah. Israeli air strikes repeatedly pounded Beirut's southern suburbs early Monday, and warplanes bombed Lebanon's eastern and southern region near the border with Israel, killing at least 15 civilians.
In Gaza, the Israeli offensive continues, coupled with the arrest of Aziz Al-Dweik, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, an act that spurred criticism from the Egyptian government and from several political forces inside Egypt, including the Muslim Brotherhood and various members of parliament.
In their statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, headed by Ahmed Abul-Gheit, denounced the arrest, deeming it “a clear breach of international laws, contradicting all agreements between Palestine and Israel.”
Abul-Gheit called on Israel to release Al-Dweik, who is also a member of Hamas, the Islamic resistance movement that represents the Palestinian government.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2540
First Published: August 8, 2006
Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya denies ties with Al-Qaeda
CAIRO: Egypt-based Islamic group Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya said they denounce violence and deny having any connections with Al-Qaeda militants, reports the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm on its front page.
In a video message broadcast Saturday by Al-Jazeera network, the terror group’s second in command Ayman Al-Zawahri announced what Al-Qaeda deemed “the good news” of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya’s key figures joining their network. No details or names were mentioned. The Egyptian-born only said that "a number" of the Egyptian Islamic leadership is now welcome "under the Al-Qaeda banner."
According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, shortly after Al-Zawahri’s tape was broadcasted, another video message appeared with leading member of the Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya Mohammad Khalil Al-Hakayma confirming the news, saying that “he and other knights of the group” have joined Al-Qaeda. Al-Hakayma criticized the infamous Islamic group though, saying they have fallen into “mistakes as a result of government and American pressures.”
In response, leadership of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya said “they differed with Al-Qaeda in ideology,” denying knowledge of Al-Hakayma or any links with the terror group.
Meanwhile, the Italian news agency AKI reports a statement posted on the Internet by the Egyptian group's leadership saying that "though some members [of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya] have joined Al Zawahiri's group, as he himself confirmed in the video message, it is improbable that the majority of our members would follow their path.
"Our movement has rejected violence since 1997 and we have held fast to this principle. Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya categorically denies any merger between itself and the militants of Al-Qaeda," the statement reportedly read.
Signed by Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya’s leader, Sheikh Abdel-Akher Hamad, the statement, according to AKI, described those members of the group who have defected to Al-Qaeda as "minor elements" such as Mohamed Al-Islambouli, the younger brother of Khaled Al-Islambouli, who was charged with assassinating President Anwar Al-Sadat in 1979 and was later executed. Nevertheless, in Al-Masry Al-Youm, a relative of the younger Al-Islambouli denied any ties between the militant’s brother and the group.
In the meantime, Egypt’s independent and opposition newspapers continue to feature news of the Israeli offensive on Lebanon and Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes; hailing the latter in some instances, focusing primarily on the war and dedicating their front pages solely to war coverage at the expense of local news.
The newspapers seemly rejoiced in the death of 14 Israeli soldiers as a result of Hezbollah rockets, with pictures of dead soldiers carried away on stretchers dominating the front pages, temporarily replacing pictures of rubble, dead children and wounded victims of the Israeli air strikes.
Support for Hezbollah seems to be rising, as the Egyptian press has become more sympathetic with the group, which is seen as fighting a hard battle alone. Al-Masry Al-Youm for instance chose to call Hezbollah “the resistance,” as opposed to a militant group, while national newspapers refrain from labeling the Lebanese Shiite group, following weeks of subtle negative comments about its legitimacy.
The civilian death toll is rising in Lebanon, in spite of southern resistance from Hezbollah. Israeli air strikes repeatedly pounded Beirut's southern suburbs early Monday, and warplanes bombed Lebanon's eastern and southern region near the border with Israel, killing at least 15 civilians.
In Gaza, the Israeli offensive continues, coupled with the arrest of Aziz Al-Dweik, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, an act that spurred criticism from the Egyptian government and from several political forces inside Egypt, including the Muslim Brotherhood and various members of parliament.
In their statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, headed by Ahmed Abul-Gheit, denounced the arrest, deeming it “a clear breach of international laws, contradicting all agreements between Palestine and Israel.”
Abul-Gheit called on Israel to release Al-Dweik, who is also a member of Hamas, the Islamic resistance movement that represents the Palestinian government.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2540
IHT/DSE: A bookstore for book lovers
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 7, 2006
Kotob Khan whisks you away from the bustle of everyday life
CAIRO: It is not just a foreign-language bookseller. It’s a reader’s haven. A cozy atmosphere, good coffee, comfy chairs, free Wi-Fi access, and most of all a variety of above-average quality books, Kotob Khan (which literally means "book market") is the place for serious readers.
Situated on El-Lasilky road in Maadi, the bookstore is very easy to find. And its design is original for a bookstore in Cairo. The outer display of the bookstore has a country style, with wooden doors and windowpanes, white curtains, a wooden sign at the door, small stairs, a bench in the open air, beautiful greenery and all.
Sitting in the bookstore, sunlight streaming though the large glass windows, one could easily feel like he is outside of Cairo; away from the noise and clutter of his busy life.
One could simply go there to relax, with a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake, while skimming through the display of free magazines or leafing through a few books before deciding which to buy.
The bookshop owner, a well-read young woman named Karam Youssef, is very welcoming and is happy to show people around, recommend books and go through the large display of English, French and Arabic books with the enthusiastic reader. Youssef has also placed a round table of books she has personally handpicked for what she describes as “serious readers,” readers who see reading as “a lifestyle,” not just a way to get information, “or something to add to your profile.”
Indeed, the choice of most of the books does not fall into the category of light reading or popular fiction. Youssef’s fiction, non-fiction and even self-help books speak of fine taste: Glen Duncan, Paulo Coelho, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, George R.R. Martin, J.R.R. Tolkien for the classy fantasy reader, and Karen Armstrong for lovers of theology.
A variety of colloquial and traditional Arabic literature as well as translated Arabic literature from the American University in Cairo Press is also on offer: the infamous Yacoubian Building and Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz’s best works, among others.
Going through the books, I even found a brand-new copy of the Gospel of Judas, which was very recently discovered and translated in the United States, with commentary, a book I did not expect to find in Egypt for a long time.
The categories do not stop there; there are sections for children, general reference, Egyptology, cinema, history of art, filmmaking and photography, biographies, politics and history, religion and Islamic studies.
Interested in arts and literature, Youssef’s approach to the bookshop speaks of her own personality and culture; the choice of books, the way the coffee area is intermixed with a display of books on ancient Egypt and references to the Pharaonic era and even the way her selected literature are a mix of classic and modern, traditional Arabic and foreign-language. The owner has personalized the bookshop, making the shop less of a business enterprise, and more of “Karam’s bookshop.”
It’s definitely a hobby and a passion, not business, for the owner. “It’s not a project, I do [not care much] about figures, just good books.”
Youssef says the three-month-old bookstore has become like her baby. “My life is the bookshop now … I get up in the morning with the bookstore on my mind. I go to sleep with the bookstore on my mind … It gives me pleasure.”
After many years of pondering this “life-changing” idea, the broadcasting studies graduate began to seriously consider pursuing her dream project and launching a bookstore only a few years ago.
First, she wanted to open a gallery for rare books, cards and manuscripts. “But I discovered that in reality, it’s not practical,” Youssef told The Daily Star Egypt. “But now I have this. It’s also like a cultural center, where I hold movie and documentary screenings, tributes to celebrity musicians, the last one was to Jim Morrison of the Doors, and book discussions and readings.”
Youssef hosts other activities like readings and discussions of poetry and Arabic literature. Especially those written by young Arabic writers, “My philosophy is to focus on modern Egyptian authors, young authors. We need to get them known … read their books and discuss [them] with the attendees.”
Youssef also holds scheduled story-telling sessions for children. “It’s about education,” said Youssef of her bookstore’s activities.
Keeping in touch with readers and faithful buyers through a mailing list, Youssef has no difficulty publicizing her activities and is willing to do more to reach Cairo’s book lovers. “We’re preparing a Web site, where books can be ordered [online] and delivered.” She currently offers customer cards and gift vouchers for frequent buyers.
Putting no limit on her dreams, Youssef plans to revive her old gallery idea through her bookstore, by including rare books and having stacks of beautiful cards on display. Youssef also wants to have her own publishing and distribution house, insisting that she’s independent and that she’s always open to ideas. “I don’t have restrictions [on what to do next].”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2529
First Published: August 7, 2006
Kotob Khan whisks you away from the bustle of everyday life
CAIRO: It is not just a foreign-language bookseller. It’s a reader’s haven. A cozy atmosphere, good coffee, comfy chairs, free Wi-Fi access, and most of all a variety of above-average quality books, Kotob Khan (which literally means "book market") is the place for serious readers.
Situated on El-Lasilky road in Maadi, the bookstore is very easy to find. And its design is original for a bookstore in Cairo. The outer display of the bookstore has a country style, with wooden doors and windowpanes, white curtains, a wooden sign at the door, small stairs, a bench in the open air, beautiful greenery and all.
Sitting in the bookstore, sunlight streaming though the large glass windows, one could easily feel like he is outside of Cairo; away from the noise and clutter of his busy life.
One could simply go there to relax, with a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake, while skimming through the display of free magazines or leafing through a few books before deciding which to buy.
The bookshop owner, a well-read young woman named Karam Youssef, is very welcoming and is happy to show people around, recommend books and go through the large display of English, French and Arabic books with the enthusiastic reader. Youssef has also placed a round table of books she has personally handpicked for what she describes as “serious readers,” readers who see reading as “a lifestyle,” not just a way to get information, “or something to add to your profile.”
Indeed, the choice of most of the books does not fall into the category of light reading or popular fiction. Youssef’s fiction, non-fiction and even self-help books speak of fine taste: Glen Duncan, Paulo Coelho, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, George R.R. Martin, J.R.R. Tolkien for the classy fantasy reader, and Karen Armstrong for lovers of theology.
A variety of colloquial and traditional Arabic literature as well as translated Arabic literature from the American University in Cairo Press is also on offer: the infamous Yacoubian Building and Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz’s best works, among others.
Going through the books, I even found a brand-new copy of the Gospel of Judas, which was very recently discovered and translated in the United States, with commentary, a book I did not expect to find in Egypt for a long time.
The categories do not stop there; there are sections for children, general reference, Egyptology, cinema, history of art, filmmaking and photography, biographies, politics and history, religion and Islamic studies.
Interested in arts and literature, Youssef’s approach to the bookshop speaks of her own personality and culture; the choice of books, the way the coffee area is intermixed with a display of books on ancient Egypt and references to the Pharaonic era and even the way her selected literature are a mix of classic and modern, traditional Arabic and foreign-language. The owner has personalized the bookshop, making the shop less of a business enterprise, and more of “Karam’s bookshop.”
It’s definitely a hobby and a passion, not business, for the owner. “It’s not a project, I do [not care much] about figures, just good books.”
Youssef says the three-month-old bookstore has become like her baby. “My life is the bookshop now … I get up in the morning with the bookstore on my mind. I go to sleep with the bookstore on my mind … It gives me pleasure.”
After many years of pondering this “life-changing” idea, the broadcasting studies graduate began to seriously consider pursuing her dream project and launching a bookstore only a few years ago.
First, she wanted to open a gallery for rare books, cards and manuscripts. “But I discovered that in reality, it’s not practical,” Youssef told The Daily Star Egypt. “But now I have this. It’s also like a cultural center, where I hold movie and documentary screenings, tributes to celebrity musicians, the last one was to Jim Morrison of the Doors, and book discussions and readings.”
Youssef hosts other activities like readings and discussions of poetry and Arabic literature. Especially those written by young Arabic writers, “My philosophy is to focus on modern Egyptian authors, young authors. We need to get them known … read their books and discuss [them] with the attendees.”
Youssef also holds scheduled story-telling sessions for children. “It’s about education,” said Youssef of her bookstore’s activities.
Keeping in touch with readers and faithful buyers through a mailing list, Youssef has no difficulty publicizing her activities and is willing to do more to reach Cairo’s book lovers. “We’re preparing a Web site, where books can be ordered [online] and delivered.” She currently offers customer cards and gift vouchers for frequent buyers.
Putting no limit on her dreams, Youssef plans to revive her old gallery idea through her bookstore, by including rare books and having stacks of beautiful cards on display. Youssef also wants to have her own publishing and distribution house, insisting that she’s independent and that she’s always open to ideas. “I don’t have restrictions [on what to do next].”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2529
IHT/DSE: Press lashes out at Israel, Arab regimes, and U.S.
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: August 1, 2006
Newspapers publish pictures of dead children from Qana on front pages.
CAIRO: The aftermath of what the press has labeled “The 2006 Qana Massacre” is topping local headlines. With the incident igniting flames of anger and provoking reactions across Egypt, opposition newspapers are in turn lashing out at Israeli, American and Arab leadership.
History seems to be repeating itself, according to the newspapers, in the tragedy of the village of Qana, previously attacked in 1996, where an Israeli raid on Sunday left more than 50 civilians dead, including dozens of children. Pictures of dead girls pulled out from under the rubble or carried away on stretchers fill the front pages.
Agence-France Presse (AFP) reports on Egypt’s press, saying that the deadly air strike on Qana has turned the tide completely against Israel, with the press lashing out against the Jewish country and publishing “gruesome pictures of dead children.” The country’s dailies, according to AFP, charged that "the butcher" Ariel Sharon has found a worthy heir in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, carrying blood-red headlines reading "Massacre in Qana," "Carnage in Lebanon," "Children murdered.”
"The Israeli butchers have added a new line to their bloody record. This dark chapter resembles the one that took place ten years ago. The place is the same... the butchers are the same and the victims again are innocent children and women," Al-Ahram wrote, according to AFP, referring to the 1996 Israeli operation against Lebanon that left 105 people dead in Qana.
"Ehud Olmert is kicking off his career with a massacre that makes him a criminal of the same category as Begin, Shamir and Sharon," Al-Ahram editorialist Mohammed Ali Ibrahim was quoted as saying.
According to the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm, National Democratic Party (NDP) members were not present during the protest; an incident “that proves that the ruling power does not represent the people,” opposition leader and upper house member Mustafa Bakri was quoted as saying.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2466
First Published: August 1, 2006
Newspapers publish pictures of dead children from Qana on front pages.
CAIRO: The aftermath of what the press has labeled “The 2006 Qana Massacre” is topping local headlines. With the incident igniting flames of anger and provoking reactions across Egypt, opposition newspapers are in turn lashing out at Israeli, American and Arab leadership.
History seems to be repeating itself, according to the newspapers, in the tragedy of the village of Qana, previously attacked in 1996, where an Israeli raid on Sunday left more than 50 civilians dead, including dozens of children. Pictures of dead girls pulled out from under the rubble or carried away on stretchers fill the front pages.
Agence-France Presse (AFP) reports on Egypt’s press, saying that the deadly air strike on Qana has turned the tide completely against Israel, with the press lashing out against the Jewish country and publishing “gruesome pictures of dead children.” The country’s dailies, according to AFP, charged that "the butcher" Ariel Sharon has found a worthy heir in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, carrying blood-red headlines reading "Massacre in Qana," "Carnage in Lebanon," "Children murdered.”
"The Israeli butchers have added a new line to their bloody record. This dark chapter resembles the one that took place ten years ago. The place is the same... the butchers are the same and the victims again are innocent children and women," Al-Ahram wrote, according to AFP, referring to the 1996 Israeli operation against Lebanon that left 105 people dead in Qana.
"Ehud Olmert is kicking off his career with a massacre that makes him a criminal of the same category as Begin, Shamir and Sharon," Al-Ahram editorialist Mohammed Ali Ibrahim was quoted as saying.
According to the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm, National Democratic Party (NDP) members were not present during the protest; an incident “that proves that the ruling power does not represent the people,” opposition leader and upper house member Mustafa Bakri was quoted as saying.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2466
IHT/DSE: In response to “inadequate” government efforts, independent groups offer aid to Lebanon
By Pakinam Amer and Shereen El-Gazzar
First Published: July 26, 2006
CAIRO: The Egyptian government’s effort to send aid to war-stricken Lebanon and Palestine has been limited and deemed “inadequate.” Non-governmental organizations, political and independent groups are adopting the cause in their stead, condemning the “weakness” of the Arab states and glorifying the Hezbollah militia.
The state-directed Red Crescent sent two military planes, provided by the state, full of goods. Promises of a larger aid supply were announced by Al-Ahram, with reservoirs of fuel, water, medical equipment and aid expected to be sent to Lebanon “soon.”
But the promises remain simply promises, as national newspapers announce that the Egyptian Red Crescent is still getting in touch with various aid organizations, the Red Cross included, to “assess the real emergency needs” of the country, pounded almost continuously by Israeli air strikes.
According to the United Nation’s wire service IRIN, it was not until July 23, the 12th day of bombing in Lebanon, that the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Egyptian government reacted and sent emergency assistance to Lebanon, saying, “The Egyptian government … has done very little else since.”
According to the news agency, the Egyptian government and the Red Crescent have been criticized by opponents and the media for responding relatively slowly to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
"Unlike the local NGO community and the Muslim Brotherhood, the government and the Red Crescent have been incredibly slow to plan any emergency assistance for Lebanon," Gamal Essam El-Din, Al-Ahram Weekly veteran journalist and political analyst, was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Committee of Humanitarian Relief of the Arab Doctor’s Union, held a conference at Dar Al-Hekma, their official headquarters, last Friday to discuss the Palestinian-Lebanese situation in order to gather donations for the war victims.
According to IRIN, the Doctor’s Union, dominated by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been instrumental in co-coordinating relief efforts from Egypt and across the region where its members are based; the union immediately dispatched a team of doctors to the country to assess needs.
The Committee of Humanitarian Relief has a history of charitable work, including giving aid to countries like Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Bosnia, Kosovo and Chechnya. The committee’s mission is to offer the victims of wars and natural disasters protection from disease, as well as offering medical treatment and first aid without differentiating between religion, color, or race.
When the war in Lebanon broke out, coupled with air strikes on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Committee of Humanitarian Relief succeeded in gathering LE 300,000 and sent a team of doctors to aid the Lebanese people.
“Today, Lebanon is in desperate need of our assistance,” said Hamdy El Sayed, head of the doctor’s syndicate, during the committee’s Friday conference. “Lebanon is short in milk, insulin, blood pressure and heart medications.”
"[Also] most urgently needed are medicines to combat heart disease and diabetes, which are fast running out, as well as pain killers and antibiotics," Gamal Abdel-Salam, head of the Arab Doctor’s Union's emergency relief program, told IRIN. An assessment team sent to Lebanon last week was told by Lebanese medical professionals that the country is not short of doctors.
On July 22 and 23, however, medical teams will be sent to Lebanon through Damascus, according to El-Sayed who in his nationalistic speech condemned Arab passivity.
“The Arabs who own two-thirds of the world’s natural resources don’t want to unite, they keep lingering and seek pity from the West,” he said, referring to Hassan Nasrallah, leader of resistance group Hezbollah as the only man who has brought back the “ummah’s” (nation’s) dignity.
Mostafa Bakry, editor in chief of opposition weekly Al-Osbou and member of the Egyptian parliament, was among the conference’s spokespersons who condemned the reaction to the ongoing war from the Arab states and particularly Egypt.
Bakry spoke of an incident where an Arab ruler sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urging him to get rid of the Islamic Shiite group Hezbollah. “They are afraid of losing their chairs,” said Bakry.
On one hand, Bakry said he despised the Arab rulers, while praising Hezbollah’s achievements during the last 10 days, describing their performance as “a balance of terror” between the Arabs and the Zionists.
Bakry added that he thinks that now the Israeli community has mixed feelings, with some thinking that the war against Hezbollah was a mistake that yielded unanticipated losses.
“Everyday Israel continues in the war it loses $200 million,” said Bakry. “Hezbollah is ‘a major power’ and not just any political party.”
Khaled Ramy, Palestinian Ministry of Health representative, spoke to the audience via speakerphone. Ramy referred to Israel’s hostile acts as “terrorism” practiced by an entire country.
Ramy also spoke of what he chose to call the “never-ending cut down of electricity.” “The problem is not with the light; some patients have chronic respiratory diseases and they need a respiratory machine to live,” said Ramy. “In hospitals operation rooms don’t have air conditioners.” Ramy added that the Palestinian minister of health, himself, lives in candlelight.
Notable for their efforts in aiding Palestine and Lebanon are also the Muslim Brotherhood, who is currently collecting donations in a bank account established for the Lebanese crisis. The Muslim Brotherhood upper house of parliament members are due to hold what they call “a national conference in solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine” under the slogan “Parliamentarians for Palestine and Lebanon.” During this conference, the Brotherhood leaders will discuss possible means of aid for the war-stricken countries, aside from money for food and medicine.
According to IRIN, Muslim Brotherhood members Abdel-Salam and union head Abdel-Moneim Aboul-Futouh have said so far that “money from Egyptians would be better than assistance in goods, as medicines can be bought from neighboring Syria through the Damascus-based Syrian Doctors' Syndicate.”
The Lebanese Embassy has also opened a special account in Misr Bank for rescue in Lebanon, and they have an open fax line for item donations. Egyptians, who are equally sympathetic to the Lebanese cause and critical of government efforts, have been circulating the Lebanese account number through mobile phone messages with the tag "Please circulate by all means. God bless."
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2395
First Published: July 26, 2006
CAIRO: The Egyptian government’s effort to send aid to war-stricken Lebanon and Palestine has been limited and deemed “inadequate.” Non-governmental organizations, political and independent groups are adopting the cause in their stead, condemning the “weakness” of the Arab states and glorifying the Hezbollah militia.
The state-directed Red Crescent sent two military planes, provided by the state, full of goods. Promises of a larger aid supply were announced by Al-Ahram, with reservoirs of fuel, water, medical equipment and aid expected to be sent to Lebanon “soon.”
But the promises remain simply promises, as national newspapers announce that the Egyptian Red Crescent is still getting in touch with various aid organizations, the Red Cross included, to “assess the real emergency needs” of the country, pounded almost continuously by Israeli air strikes.
According to the United Nation’s wire service IRIN, it was not until July 23, the 12th day of bombing in Lebanon, that the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Egyptian government reacted and sent emergency assistance to Lebanon, saying, “The Egyptian government … has done very little else since.”
According to the news agency, the Egyptian government and the Red Crescent have been criticized by opponents and the media for responding relatively slowly to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
"Unlike the local NGO community and the Muslim Brotherhood, the government and the Red Crescent have been incredibly slow to plan any emergency assistance for Lebanon," Gamal Essam El-Din, Al-Ahram Weekly veteran journalist and political analyst, was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Committee of Humanitarian Relief of the Arab Doctor’s Union, held a conference at Dar Al-Hekma, their official headquarters, last Friday to discuss the Palestinian-Lebanese situation in order to gather donations for the war victims.
According to IRIN, the Doctor’s Union, dominated by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been instrumental in co-coordinating relief efforts from Egypt and across the region where its members are based; the union immediately dispatched a team of doctors to the country to assess needs.
The Committee of Humanitarian Relief has a history of charitable work, including giving aid to countries like Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Bosnia, Kosovo and Chechnya. The committee’s mission is to offer the victims of wars and natural disasters protection from disease, as well as offering medical treatment and first aid without differentiating between religion, color, or race.
When the war in Lebanon broke out, coupled with air strikes on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Committee of Humanitarian Relief succeeded in gathering LE 300,000 and sent a team of doctors to aid the Lebanese people.
“Today, Lebanon is in desperate need of our assistance,” said Hamdy El Sayed, head of the doctor’s syndicate, during the committee’s Friday conference. “Lebanon is short in milk, insulin, blood pressure and heart medications.”
"[Also] most urgently needed are medicines to combat heart disease and diabetes, which are fast running out, as well as pain killers and antibiotics," Gamal Abdel-Salam, head of the Arab Doctor’s Union's emergency relief program, told IRIN. An assessment team sent to Lebanon last week was told by Lebanese medical professionals that the country is not short of doctors.
On July 22 and 23, however, medical teams will be sent to Lebanon through Damascus, according to El-Sayed who in his nationalistic speech condemned Arab passivity.
“The Arabs who own two-thirds of the world’s natural resources don’t want to unite, they keep lingering and seek pity from the West,” he said, referring to Hassan Nasrallah, leader of resistance group Hezbollah as the only man who has brought back the “ummah’s” (nation’s) dignity.
Mostafa Bakry, editor in chief of opposition weekly Al-Osbou and member of the Egyptian parliament, was among the conference’s spokespersons who condemned the reaction to the ongoing war from the Arab states and particularly Egypt.
Bakry spoke of an incident where an Arab ruler sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urging him to get rid of the Islamic Shiite group Hezbollah. “They are afraid of losing their chairs,” said Bakry.
On one hand, Bakry said he despised the Arab rulers, while praising Hezbollah’s achievements during the last 10 days, describing their performance as “a balance of terror” between the Arabs and the Zionists.
Bakry added that he thinks that now the Israeli community has mixed feelings, with some thinking that the war against Hezbollah was a mistake that yielded unanticipated losses.
“Everyday Israel continues in the war it loses $200 million,” said Bakry. “Hezbollah is ‘a major power’ and not just any political party.”
Khaled Ramy, Palestinian Ministry of Health representative, spoke to the audience via speakerphone. Ramy referred to Israel’s hostile acts as “terrorism” practiced by an entire country.
Ramy also spoke of what he chose to call the “never-ending cut down of electricity.” “The problem is not with the light; some patients have chronic respiratory diseases and they need a respiratory machine to live,” said Ramy. “In hospitals operation rooms don’t have air conditioners.” Ramy added that the Palestinian minister of health, himself, lives in candlelight.
Notable for their efforts in aiding Palestine and Lebanon are also the Muslim Brotherhood, who is currently collecting donations in a bank account established for the Lebanese crisis. The Muslim Brotherhood upper house of parliament members are due to hold what they call “a national conference in solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine” under the slogan “Parliamentarians for Palestine and Lebanon.” During this conference, the Brotherhood leaders will discuss possible means of aid for the war-stricken countries, aside from money for food and medicine.
According to IRIN, Muslim Brotherhood members Abdel-Salam and union head Abdel-Moneim Aboul-Futouh have said so far that “money from Egyptians would be better than assistance in goods, as medicines can be bought from neighboring Syria through the Damascus-based Syrian Doctors' Syndicate.”
The Lebanese Embassy has also opened a special account in Misr Bank for rescue in Lebanon, and they have an open fax line for item donations. Egyptians, who are equally sympathetic to the Lebanese cause and critical of government efforts, have been circulating the Lebanese account number through mobile phone messages with the tag "Please circulate by all means. God bless."
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2395
IHT/DSE: Israeli war on Lebanon provokes anti-war protests (press round-up)
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 25, 2006
Police violence toward protestors underreported
CAIRO: News of the Israeli-Lebanese war still dominates the headlines, with national and independent newspapers giving it top priority as anti-war protests rage across the country.
Among the war updates is the news of 6,000 Egyptian evacuees who are currently pouring into Syria, according to the daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon told the press that more than 25,000 Egyptians are still residing in Lebanon; citizens who live in different areas throughout the country. The Egyptian embassy is trying to facilitate their transfer to Syria, said the ambassador.
“Egypt is the only country that offered its citizens all amenities during their transfer and their accommodation in Syria for free,” Hazem Khairat, Egypt’s ambassador to Syria, was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm as saying. “[The country] is accommodating all their expenses, ticket fare and all services until their leave from Damascus.”
Reportedly, around 5,000 of the evacuees are expected to return to Egypt on board EgyptAir airlines and military planes.
The embassy in Lebanon has also cancelled the celebration of Egypt’s 54th anniversary of its National Day commemorating the revolution of the Free Officers on July 23, 1952, when the country was proclaimed a republic. The celebration was reportedly cancelled in consideration of the raging war on Lebanon, with Israeli violence escalating day by day in Beirut, southern Lebanon and on the borders.
Even though the ceremony was halted in Lebanon, it went on as planned in Israel “in an atmosphere of intimacy and friendliness,” according to the Muslim Brotherhood’s official Web site and IslamOnline news Web site. Reportedly, Israeli public figures and officials attended the celebration at Egypt’s consulate in Tel Aviv in an event “that marked peaceful relations between Egypt and Israel.”
Egypt is one of the few Arab countries that enjoy strong ambassadorial ties and business relations with the Jewish state.
Meanwhile, anti-Israel protests rage on, with the press syndicate organizing events in solidarity with Lebanon. “A night in love of Lebanon,” an evening of poetry and prose dedicated to Lebanon, will feature accounts of Lebanese nationals and evacuees who have left Lebanon in an attempt to convey the depth of the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country and to show “the crimes of the Zionist war pounding on Lebanon.”
This form of protest comes in a series of demonstrations and protests supporting the Lebanese cause throughout Egypt. Last Thursday, Youth for Change, an offshoot group of the Kefaya movement, held a protest in Shubra.
Kefaya continued to rally in support of Lebanon in a secular protest in Al-Areesh, while Muslim Brotherhood members and dozens of its supporters flocked to a Brotherhood-organized protest in Cairo on Friday to condemn the continuous Israeli offensive against the Arab state.
The protest at the Al-Azhar mosque, following the Muslim Friday prayers, attracted Lebanon sympathizers from the opposition and anti-war activists, and Muslim Brotherhood members who have recently taken a strong position in hailing Lebanese Shiite resistance group Hezbollah and condemning what they called “the passivity … and the weakness” of Arab states. Muslims who came to pray also joined the protesters.
Security forces nevertheless constrained the strength of the “unauthorized” protest where, according to Al-Jazeera, armed riot police dispersed the gathering and beat the demonstrators with batons and truncheons inside the grand mosque; an incident that was not highlighted in local media and was timidly criticized by independent and opposition newspapers.
Although the protests were scheduled to be held on a national scale across 26 governorates, many of the protests were cancelled.
Kefaya is scheduled to hold another demonstration in the Tahrir area in central Cairo next Wednesday. The upcoming protest was called upon by Kefaya, Al-Karama political group and the Socialist Revolutionist Party in their joint conference Thursday, and initiated to support the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon and is said to be authorized by the state.
Kefaya, a secular movement and a fierce critic of the government, has been calling on the Egyptian government to cut ties and peace deals with Israel, forcing the Israeli ambassador out of Egypt and freezing oil and natural gas exports.
Bound by a peace treaty, Egypt maintains normal economic relations that include commercial sales of petrol and gas by Egypt to Israel. Egypt launched the QIZ, an economic trade agreement that allows Egypt to export duty-free products to the United States as long as the products contain a given percentage of input from Israel.
"We want to see all forms of sanctions against Israel," George Ishaq, Kefaya leader and co-founder, had told Agence-France Presse during an earlier protest. "We don't want agreements with Israel; we don't want relations with Israel … The Camp David agreement has become nothing more than ink on paper.”
Egypt also receives an annual $1.9 billion a year in aid from the United States, a strong ally of the Jewish state. Egypt’s diplomatic relations with the two countries makes it difficult, according to analysts, for the country to take a strong stance toward the Israeli-Lebanese war or to sever ties with Israel, ruling out almost completely any notion of military intervention.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to call for the evacuation of southern Lebanese cities, signaling more strikes against the country. Israel is reportedly preparing for a wide-scale incursion into southern Lebanon, carrying out air strikes across the borders and sending ground troops. The number of casualties in the war-stricken country is rising, with more than 350 (mostly civilians) dead.
In its world crisis report published Friday, the United Nations warned against the repercussions of the bloody conflict between Israel and Lebanon, as violence escalates. The UN secretary general said, “[What] is most urgently needed is an immediate cessation of hostilities, to prevent further loss of innocent life and the infliction of further suffering; to allow full humanitarian access to those in need.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2384
First Published: July 25, 2006
Police violence toward protestors underreported
CAIRO: News of the Israeli-Lebanese war still dominates the headlines, with national and independent newspapers giving it top priority as anti-war protests rage across the country.
Among the war updates is the news of 6,000 Egyptian evacuees who are currently pouring into Syria, according to the daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon told the press that more than 25,000 Egyptians are still residing in Lebanon; citizens who live in different areas throughout the country. The Egyptian embassy is trying to facilitate their transfer to Syria, said the ambassador.
“Egypt is the only country that offered its citizens all amenities during their transfer and their accommodation in Syria for free,” Hazem Khairat, Egypt’s ambassador to Syria, was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm as saying. “[The country] is accommodating all their expenses, ticket fare and all services until their leave from Damascus.”
Reportedly, around 5,000 of the evacuees are expected to return to Egypt on board EgyptAir airlines and military planes.
The embassy in Lebanon has also cancelled the celebration of Egypt’s 54th anniversary of its National Day commemorating the revolution of the Free Officers on July 23, 1952, when the country was proclaimed a republic. The celebration was reportedly cancelled in consideration of the raging war on Lebanon, with Israeli violence escalating day by day in Beirut, southern Lebanon and on the borders.
Even though the ceremony was halted in Lebanon, it went on as planned in Israel “in an atmosphere of intimacy and friendliness,” according to the Muslim Brotherhood’s official Web site and IslamOnline news Web site. Reportedly, Israeli public figures and officials attended the celebration at Egypt’s consulate in Tel Aviv in an event “that marked peaceful relations between Egypt and Israel.”
Egypt is one of the few Arab countries that enjoy strong ambassadorial ties and business relations with the Jewish state.
Meanwhile, anti-Israel protests rage on, with the press syndicate organizing events in solidarity with Lebanon. “A night in love of Lebanon,” an evening of poetry and prose dedicated to Lebanon, will feature accounts of Lebanese nationals and evacuees who have left Lebanon in an attempt to convey the depth of the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country and to show “the crimes of the Zionist war pounding on Lebanon.”
This form of protest comes in a series of demonstrations and protests supporting the Lebanese cause throughout Egypt. Last Thursday, Youth for Change, an offshoot group of the Kefaya movement, held a protest in Shubra.
Kefaya continued to rally in support of Lebanon in a secular protest in Al-Areesh, while Muslim Brotherhood members and dozens of its supporters flocked to a Brotherhood-organized protest in Cairo on Friday to condemn the continuous Israeli offensive against the Arab state.
The protest at the Al-Azhar mosque, following the Muslim Friday prayers, attracted Lebanon sympathizers from the opposition and anti-war activists, and Muslim Brotherhood members who have recently taken a strong position in hailing Lebanese Shiite resistance group Hezbollah and condemning what they called “the passivity … and the weakness” of Arab states. Muslims who came to pray also joined the protesters.
Security forces nevertheless constrained the strength of the “unauthorized” protest where, according to Al-Jazeera, armed riot police dispersed the gathering and beat the demonstrators with batons and truncheons inside the grand mosque; an incident that was not highlighted in local media and was timidly criticized by independent and opposition newspapers.
Although the protests were scheduled to be held on a national scale across 26 governorates, many of the protests were cancelled.
Kefaya is scheduled to hold another demonstration in the Tahrir area in central Cairo next Wednesday. The upcoming protest was called upon by Kefaya, Al-Karama political group and the Socialist Revolutionist Party in their joint conference Thursday, and initiated to support the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon and is said to be authorized by the state.
Kefaya, a secular movement and a fierce critic of the government, has been calling on the Egyptian government to cut ties and peace deals with Israel, forcing the Israeli ambassador out of Egypt and freezing oil and natural gas exports.
Bound by a peace treaty, Egypt maintains normal economic relations that include commercial sales of petrol and gas by Egypt to Israel. Egypt launched the QIZ, an economic trade agreement that allows Egypt to export duty-free products to the United States as long as the products contain a given percentage of input from Israel.
"We want to see all forms of sanctions against Israel," George Ishaq, Kefaya leader and co-founder, had told Agence-France Presse during an earlier protest. "We don't want agreements with Israel; we don't want relations with Israel … The Camp David agreement has become nothing more than ink on paper.”
Egypt also receives an annual $1.9 billion a year in aid from the United States, a strong ally of the Jewish state. Egypt’s diplomatic relations with the two countries makes it difficult, according to analysts, for the country to take a strong stance toward the Israeli-Lebanese war or to sever ties with Israel, ruling out almost completely any notion of military intervention.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to call for the evacuation of southern Lebanese cities, signaling more strikes against the country. Israel is reportedly preparing for a wide-scale incursion into southern Lebanon, carrying out air strikes across the borders and sending ground troops. The number of casualties in the war-stricken country is rising, with more than 350 (mostly civilians) dead.
In its world crisis report published Friday, the United Nations warned against the repercussions of the bloody conflict between Israel and Lebanon, as violence escalates. The UN secretary general said, “[What] is most urgently needed is an immediate cessation of hostilities, to prevent further loss of innocent life and the infliction of further suffering; to allow full humanitarian access to those in need.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2384
IHT/DSE: Journalists visit Lebanese embassy to express solidarity
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 21, 2006
Frustrated by lack of government response, more protests planned
CAIRO: Members of Egypt’s press syndicate sent a group of representatives Tuesday to the Lebanese Embassy in Cairo in an expression of solidarity and in protest over the Israeli war on Lebanon. The Jewish state continues to exert pressure on the country, resuming air raids for the ninth day in a row and sending ground troops into southern Lebanon.
After having planning an anti-war protest by journalists and activists in front of the Lebanese Embassy in Zamalek, the Lebanese embassy reportedly contacted the syndicate, requesting that the protest be cancelled and welcoming representative journalists instead. Muslim Brotherhood member and journalist Mohammad Abdel-Qudous, a familiar face in pro-reform and opposition protests and the head of the freedoms committee in the syndicate, planned the initiative.
“The Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people is by all means a crime, and Hezbollah’s acts of defense of the Lebanese lands are a legitimate right,” Abdel-Qudous was quoted as saying by Al-Masry Al-Youm. “[Hezbollah’s] rockets have revealed how weak the Arab states are.”
Abdel-Qudous, representing journalists, visited the embassy as requested. However a group of Kefaya Movement protesters insisted on a demonstration, sitting-in in front of the embassy, chanting, carrying signs and holding posters of Shiite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The group, however, was reportedly prevented from burning the Israeli flag to avoid stirring up trouble.
Meanwhile, high-profile members of Kefaya are calling for more forms of protest against the Israeli offensive, circulating e-mail and phone messages demanding that the people show their solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon.
“Next Friday, wear anything black all day and switch off the lights one minute during the night call to prayer,” read a phone message that was tagged “tell all” and forwarded on by movie actor and Kefaya member Khaled El-Sawy. “This is how we will tell the entire world that Egyptians support the Arab resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq.”
Under the slogan “If the governments are silent … then let the peoples rise [in protest],” Kefaya will also hold national demonstrations across 26 governorates, according to their official Web site, after next Friday’s Muslim prayer service.
According to the group, who will assemble in front of the press syndicate, the protest will include representatives from various political movements and opposition parties.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2356
First Published: July 21, 2006
Frustrated by lack of government response, more protests planned
CAIRO: Members of Egypt’s press syndicate sent a group of representatives Tuesday to the Lebanese Embassy in Cairo in an expression of solidarity and in protest over the Israeli war on Lebanon. The Jewish state continues to exert pressure on the country, resuming air raids for the ninth day in a row and sending ground troops into southern Lebanon.
After having planning an anti-war protest by journalists and activists in front of the Lebanese Embassy in Zamalek, the Lebanese embassy reportedly contacted the syndicate, requesting that the protest be cancelled and welcoming representative journalists instead. Muslim Brotherhood member and journalist Mohammad Abdel-Qudous, a familiar face in pro-reform and opposition protests and the head of the freedoms committee in the syndicate, planned the initiative.
“The Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people is by all means a crime, and Hezbollah’s acts of defense of the Lebanese lands are a legitimate right,” Abdel-Qudous was quoted as saying by Al-Masry Al-Youm. “[Hezbollah’s] rockets have revealed how weak the Arab states are.”
Abdel-Qudous, representing journalists, visited the embassy as requested. However a group of Kefaya Movement protesters insisted on a demonstration, sitting-in in front of the embassy, chanting, carrying signs and holding posters of Shiite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The group, however, was reportedly prevented from burning the Israeli flag to avoid stirring up trouble.
Meanwhile, high-profile members of Kefaya are calling for more forms of protest against the Israeli offensive, circulating e-mail and phone messages demanding that the people show their solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon.
“Next Friday, wear anything black all day and switch off the lights one minute during the night call to prayer,” read a phone message that was tagged “tell all” and forwarded on by movie actor and Kefaya member Khaled El-Sawy. “This is how we will tell the entire world that Egyptians support the Arab resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq.”
Under the slogan “If the governments are silent … then let the peoples rise [in protest],” Kefaya will also hold national demonstrations across 26 governorates, according to their official Web site, after next Friday’s Muslim prayer service.
According to the group, who will assemble in front of the press syndicate, the protest will include representatives from various political movements and opposition parties.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2356
IHT/DSE: Analyzing the Arab response to the escalating Mideast conflict
By Erika Solomon and Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 18, 2006
Egypt’s role in the Israeli-Lebanese war remains shallow, say analysts, who remain split over support of Hezbollah
CAIRO: After an Arab split surfaced over support for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Egypt’s analysts said they mourn Arab unity, with Egypt joining Jordan and Saudi Arabia in denouncing Hezbollah. The analysts themselves did not form a consensus; they alternately criticized and justified Egypt’s “shallow” role in the Israeli-Lebanese war.
Al-Masri Al-Youm political columnists are strongly condemning the Arab stance on the war, with columnist Sahar El-Mougy saying that the Arab nations, whose strength has diminished and who once had “dignity, honor and pride,” have forgotten that they had an enemy. Al-Mougy denounced the “silence” that met the excessive attacks from the Israeli side, while Arab nations, with Egypt topping the list, have chosen to take the path of negotiations.
Diaa Rashwan, an expert on Islamic groups, said in his column that Arab nations have joined the Zionist rhetoric in blaming Hezbollah and in calling its initial attack “a terrorist attack,” denouncing what he described as “Arabs embracing the Israeli logic.”
Even following continuous air strikes on the country, whose infrastructure has now been practically destroyed and whose main highways and central airport are blocked to civilians and foreign aid, Egypt’s response has been mild and even apologetic.
Although President Hosni Mubarak demanded a cease-fire on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip in a press conference Sunday, his speech carried subtle blame for what has been called Hezbollah’s “uncalculated moves,” saying that “any group inside Lebanon should make discussions with the state first before involving the country [in anything].” The president insisted that negotiations and a truce would resolve the situation, and that Egypt supported the idea of an emergency Arab summit.
Egypt’s involvement in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel is not likely to grow, says Mohamed Wahby, a former diplomat and member of the Egyptian Council on Foreign Affairs, despite the fact that the situation has escalated to a point which he would venture to call war between Israel and Lebanon. “It is a war by sea, air, land; in every sense but an actual military invasion.”
Wahby, who is also a political columnist, tells The Daily Star Egypt that even with the strong disapproval of the Arab world toward Israeli attacks, this is a war that he guarantees Egypt will not get involved in under the current dynamic. However, he could not completely rule out this possibility if the conflict grew more widespread.
Wahby suggested that Egypt might at least put greater pressure on Israel if the crisis escalates in Gaza, at which point “the Palestinian situation might spill into Egypt.”
Already, three Egyptian soldiers sent to patrol the Egyptian-Israeli border have been killed due to Palestinian bombings there, says Wahby. Further actions such as these will lead Egypt to “come out more strongly.” Just as Egypt should not risk damage to its relationship with Israel, Wahby does not think Israel wants to risk its ties with Egypt at a time when it has further alienated itself from the Arab world.
Considering the possibility of a more widespread conflict being provoked, Wahby says, “I definitely see the potential for full out war if all parties do not show restraint, and if the United States doesn’t take the proper action to restrain Israel.” He believes the only way to deescalate the conflict is to allow both sides of the conflict to “save face” through U.S. pressure on both sides. “It is in the interest of all parties,” he explains, “to avoid a situation which they perhaps cannot control.”
As for Egypt’s role in a more widespread conflict, Wahby says that the situation could change if Syria becomes involved. Egyptian military and political ties with Syria have historical roots, he explains. “It would be a very different situation for Egypt to manage if there was Israeli aggression against Syria. The pressures on Egypt would be much greater than now, in this war with Lebanon.”
Wahby continues, saying “I don’t know how much Egypt would be able to withstand the military and popular pressure,” under such circumstances, but was confident that Egypt would try every diplomatic angle possible before pursuing military action.
Wahby’s main concern at this potential scenario was not for the Arab nations, however, but for Israel. “Israel is vulnerable now, in terms of the future. And this is why I don’t understand what they’re doing. I am worried that the Arab mind will keep this [Israeli] aggression in its memory, and this is not good for Israel.”
Wahby adds that Iranian President Ahmedinejad has the military capabilities to badly damage Israel, and “they won’t let Syria go down.”
Currently, however, Wahby explains that not only is Egypt reluctant to pursue a military venture against Israel, it has built a network of diplomatic and economic relations with the state that would hurt the country in the event of increased involvement.
“States have an international obligation,” says Wahby, referring to the official Egyptian government’s response, which denounced Hezbollah’s actions against Israel. “But on the other hand, I would have been surprised had there been no reaction on the popular level. I cannot help being an Arab. I am happy such a reaction came.”
If no popular response had decried Israeli actions, Wahby says, “It would have shown the Arab nation is dead, instead of saying ‘we are here, we’re not yet dead in the Arab world.’”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2308
First Published: July 18, 2006
Egypt’s role in the Israeli-Lebanese war remains shallow, say analysts, who remain split over support of Hezbollah
CAIRO: After an Arab split surfaced over support for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Egypt’s analysts said they mourn Arab unity, with Egypt joining Jordan and Saudi Arabia in denouncing Hezbollah. The analysts themselves did not form a consensus; they alternately criticized and justified Egypt’s “shallow” role in the Israeli-Lebanese war.
Al-Masri Al-Youm political columnists are strongly condemning the Arab stance on the war, with columnist Sahar El-Mougy saying that the Arab nations, whose strength has diminished and who once had “dignity, honor and pride,” have forgotten that they had an enemy. Al-Mougy denounced the “silence” that met the excessive attacks from the Israeli side, while Arab nations, with Egypt topping the list, have chosen to take the path of negotiations.
Diaa Rashwan, an expert on Islamic groups, said in his column that Arab nations have joined the Zionist rhetoric in blaming Hezbollah and in calling its initial attack “a terrorist attack,” denouncing what he described as “Arabs embracing the Israeli logic.”
Even following continuous air strikes on the country, whose infrastructure has now been practically destroyed and whose main highways and central airport are blocked to civilians and foreign aid, Egypt’s response has been mild and even apologetic.
Although President Hosni Mubarak demanded a cease-fire on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip in a press conference Sunday, his speech carried subtle blame for what has been called Hezbollah’s “uncalculated moves,” saying that “any group inside Lebanon should make discussions with the state first before involving the country [in anything].” The president insisted that negotiations and a truce would resolve the situation, and that Egypt supported the idea of an emergency Arab summit.
Egypt’s involvement in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel is not likely to grow, says Mohamed Wahby, a former diplomat and member of the Egyptian Council on Foreign Affairs, despite the fact that the situation has escalated to a point which he would venture to call war between Israel and Lebanon. “It is a war by sea, air, land; in every sense but an actual military invasion.”
Wahby, who is also a political columnist, tells The Daily Star Egypt that even with the strong disapproval of the Arab world toward Israeli attacks, this is a war that he guarantees Egypt will not get involved in under the current dynamic. However, he could not completely rule out this possibility if the conflict grew more widespread.
Wahby suggested that Egypt might at least put greater pressure on Israel if the crisis escalates in Gaza, at which point “the Palestinian situation might spill into Egypt.”
Already, three Egyptian soldiers sent to patrol the Egyptian-Israeli border have been killed due to Palestinian bombings there, says Wahby. Further actions such as these will lead Egypt to “come out more strongly.” Just as Egypt should not risk damage to its relationship with Israel, Wahby does not think Israel wants to risk its ties with Egypt at a time when it has further alienated itself from the Arab world.
Considering the possibility of a more widespread conflict being provoked, Wahby says, “I definitely see the potential for full out war if all parties do not show restraint, and if the United States doesn’t take the proper action to restrain Israel.” He believes the only way to deescalate the conflict is to allow both sides of the conflict to “save face” through U.S. pressure on both sides. “It is in the interest of all parties,” he explains, “to avoid a situation which they perhaps cannot control.”
As for Egypt’s role in a more widespread conflict, Wahby says that the situation could change if Syria becomes involved. Egyptian military and political ties with Syria have historical roots, he explains. “It would be a very different situation for Egypt to manage if there was Israeli aggression against Syria. The pressures on Egypt would be much greater than now, in this war with Lebanon.”
Wahby continues, saying “I don’t know how much Egypt would be able to withstand the military and popular pressure,” under such circumstances, but was confident that Egypt would try every diplomatic angle possible before pursuing military action.
Wahby’s main concern at this potential scenario was not for the Arab nations, however, but for Israel. “Israel is vulnerable now, in terms of the future. And this is why I don’t understand what they’re doing. I am worried that the Arab mind will keep this [Israeli] aggression in its memory, and this is not good for Israel.”
Wahby adds that Iranian President Ahmedinejad has the military capabilities to badly damage Israel, and “they won’t let Syria go down.”
Currently, however, Wahby explains that not only is Egypt reluctant to pursue a military venture against Israel, it has built a network of diplomatic and economic relations with the state that would hurt the country in the event of increased involvement.
“States have an international obligation,” says Wahby, referring to the official Egyptian government’s response, which denounced Hezbollah’s actions against Israel. “But on the other hand, I would have been surprised had there been no reaction on the popular level. I cannot help being an Arab. I am happy such a reaction came.”
If no popular response had decried Israeli actions, Wahby says, “It would have shown the Arab nation is dead, instead of saying ‘we are here, we’re not yet dead in the Arab world.’”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2308
IHT/DSE: Israel's war on Lebanon tops the headlines
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 18, 2006
National newspapers dilute coverage on side stories; independent press criticize
CAIRO: Newspapers in Egypt around the region are focusing intensely on the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, with national newspapers taking a calculated approach to coverage and the independent papers continuing to heap criticism on Arab states. Opinion columns in national papers make it a point to avoid shedding light on Egypt’s or the Arab state’s mild reaction to the war, now in its sixth day.
“The reaction [of Israel] is excessive, and like a wild bull it shatters anything that stands in its way,” says columnist Mohammad Abdel-Moneim in Al-Akhbar. “But the Israeli defense forces know exactly what they’re doing. In their vengeful act called The Tempest of Fire … the main aim was to destroy the infrastructure of Lebanon: water facilities, power plants, roads and bridges and even the Beirut International Airport.”
Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar newspapers featured pictures of President Hosni Mubarak and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates meeting to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon; Al-Masri Al-Youm carried a graphic picture of a young girl’s corpse killed during the Israeli offensive on its front page. As the independent and opposition press focus primarily on the war, running feature stories on Hezbollah and the history of its conflict with Israel, Al-Akhbar and Al Ahram combined war coverage with less intense news: thanawiyya amma (secondary school) exam results, briefs on social issues and stock market updates topping their stories.
“Egypt calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon,” reads one Al-Akhbar headline, followed by statements by Mubarak during a Sunday press conference. “Israel will not be a winner in this war, on the contrary it is provoking [more] hostilities,” said Mubarak. “We should use logic and reason to resolve the current situation.”
Mubarak was also quoted by Al-Akhbar as saying that “other sides” that intervened in the Israeli-Lebanese situation have hampered Egypt’s role as a mediator. The president also said that Egypt welcomes an Arab summit, “however, we have to agree on points first.”
Meanwhile, as anger grows, opposition forces including the Muslim Brotherhood have escalated their condemnation of the war while accusing Arab states of “apathy.” “This crisis has unveiled the true weakness and the failure of the Arab systems,” says Mohammad Mahdi Akef, supreme guide of the Islamic group. “The silence of the Arab states [in response to the Israeli offensive] is inexplicable; it shows that there is some kind of collaboration [with Israel].”
In his statement, Akef, whose group uses “Islam is the solution” as its slogan, says that refraining from religion and Islamic sharia (law) is one of the main reasons Arab states have reached this “sad state.” “By shunning sharia … [the state] has lost the compass that shows it the way and the aim,” said Akef, adding, “The only way out now is to go back to religion.”
Apart from refraining from Islamic rule, Akef says that Arab leaders have attained their legitimacy through coups, revolutions or foreign intervention, another reason for their weakness “in the face of Zionists.”
In the People’s Assembly (Egypt’s upper house of parliament), criticism of governments, mainly Egypt’s, is no less intense.
“Egypt, being the biggest Arab country, should start calling on the Arab states to respond to the arrogant and fierce attacks from the sons of Zion,” said Mahmoud Megahed Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood bloc in the house. “We should freeze all the treaties [that we have] with the Zionist enemy; all those treaties that weaken the Arab states and divide them … and we should expel the Zionist ambassador.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2303
First Published: July 18, 2006
National newspapers dilute coverage on side stories; independent press criticize
CAIRO: Newspapers in Egypt around the region are focusing intensely on the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, with national newspapers taking a calculated approach to coverage and the independent papers continuing to heap criticism on Arab states. Opinion columns in national papers make it a point to avoid shedding light on Egypt’s or the Arab state’s mild reaction to the war, now in its sixth day.
“The reaction [of Israel] is excessive, and like a wild bull it shatters anything that stands in its way,” says columnist Mohammad Abdel-Moneim in Al-Akhbar. “But the Israeli defense forces know exactly what they’re doing. In their vengeful act called The Tempest of Fire … the main aim was to destroy the infrastructure of Lebanon: water facilities, power plants, roads and bridges and even the Beirut International Airport.”
Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar newspapers featured pictures of President Hosni Mubarak and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates meeting to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon; Al-Masri Al-Youm carried a graphic picture of a young girl’s corpse killed during the Israeli offensive on its front page. As the independent and opposition press focus primarily on the war, running feature stories on Hezbollah and the history of its conflict with Israel, Al-Akhbar and Al Ahram combined war coverage with less intense news: thanawiyya amma (secondary school) exam results, briefs on social issues and stock market updates topping their stories.
“Egypt calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon,” reads one Al-Akhbar headline, followed by statements by Mubarak during a Sunday press conference. “Israel will not be a winner in this war, on the contrary it is provoking [more] hostilities,” said Mubarak. “We should use logic and reason to resolve the current situation.”
Mubarak was also quoted by Al-Akhbar as saying that “other sides” that intervened in the Israeli-Lebanese situation have hampered Egypt’s role as a mediator. The president also said that Egypt welcomes an Arab summit, “however, we have to agree on points first.”
Meanwhile, as anger grows, opposition forces including the Muslim Brotherhood have escalated their condemnation of the war while accusing Arab states of “apathy.” “This crisis has unveiled the true weakness and the failure of the Arab systems,” says Mohammad Mahdi Akef, supreme guide of the Islamic group. “The silence of the Arab states [in response to the Israeli offensive] is inexplicable; it shows that there is some kind of collaboration [with Israel].”
In his statement, Akef, whose group uses “Islam is the solution” as its slogan, says that refraining from religion and Islamic sharia (law) is one of the main reasons Arab states have reached this “sad state.” “By shunning sharia … [the state] has lost the compass that shows it the way and the aim,” said Akef, adding, “The only way out now is to go back to religion.”
Apart from refraining from Islamic rule, Akef says that Arab leaders have attained their legitimacy through coups, revolutions or foreign intervention, another reason for their weakness “in the face of Zionists.”
In the People’s Assembly (Egypt’s upper house of parliament), criticism of governments, mainly Egypt’s, is no less intense.
“Egypt, being the biggest Arab country, should start calling on the Arab states to respond to the arrogant and fierce attacks from the sons of Zion,” said Mahmoud Megahed Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood bloc in the house. “We should freeze all the treaties [that we have] with the Zionist enemy; all those treaties that weaken the Arab states and divide them … and we should expel the Zionist ambassador.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2303
IHT/DSE: Israel's war on Lebanon tops the headlines
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 18, 2006
National newspapers dilute coverage on side stories; independent press criticize
CAIRO: Newspapers in Egypt around the region are focusing intensely on the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, with national newspapers taking a calculated approach to coverage and the independent papers continuing to heap criticism on Arab states. Opinion columns in national papers make it a point to avoid shedding light on Egypt’s or the Arab state’s mild reaction to the war, now in its sixth day.
“The reaction [of Israel] is excessive, and like a wild bull it shatters anything that stands in its way,” says columnist Mohammad Abdel-Moneim in Al-Akhbar. “But the Israeli defense forces know exactly what they’re doing. In their vengeful act called The Tempest of Fire … the main aim was to destroy the infrastructure of Lebanon: water facilities, power plants, roads and bridges and even the Beirut International Airport.”
Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar newspapers featured pictures of President Hosni Mubarak and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates meeting to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon; Al-Masri Al-Youm carried a graphic picture of a young girl’s corpse killed during the Israeli offensive on its front page. As the independent and opposition press focus primarily on the war, running feature stories on Hezbollah and the history of its conflict with Israel, Al-Akhbar and Al Ahram combined war coverage with less intense news: thanawiyya amma (secondary school) exam results, briefs on social issues and stock market updates topping their stories.
“Egypt calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon,” reads one Al-Akhbar headline, followed by statements by Mubarak during a Sunday press conference. “Israel will not be a winner in this war, on the contrary it is provoking [more] hostilities,” said Mubarak. “We should use logic and reason to resolve the current situation.”
Mubarak was also quoted by Al-Akhbar as saying that “other sides” that intervened in the Israeli-Lebanese situation have hampered Egypt’s role as a mediator. The president also said that Egypt welcomes an Arab summit, “however, we have to agree on points first.”
Meanwhile, as anger grows, opposition forces including the Muslim Brotherhood have escalated their condemnation of the war while accusing Arab states of “apathy.” “This crisis has unveiled the true weakness and the failure of the Arab systems,” says Mohammad Mahdi Akef, supreme guide of the Islamic group. “The silence of the Arab states [in response to the Israeli offensive] is inexplicable; it shows that there is some kind of collaboration [with Israel].”
In his statement, Akef, whose group uses “Islam is the solution” as its slogan, says that refraining from religion and Islamic sharia (law) is one of the main reasons Arab states have reached this “sad state.” “By shunning sharia … [the state] has lost the compass that shows it the way and the aim,” said Akef, adding, “The only way out now is to go back to religion.”
Apart from refraining from Islamic rule, Akef says that Arab leaders have attained their legitimacy through coups, revolutions or foreign intervention, another reason for their weakness “in the face of Zionists.”
In the People’s Assembly (Egypt’s upper house of parliament), criticism of governments, mainly Egypt’s, is no less intense.
“Egypt, being the biggest Arab country, should start calling on the Arab states to respond to the arrogant and fierce attacks from the sons of Zion,” said Mahmoud Megahed Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood bloc in the house. “We should freeze all the treaties [that we have] with the Zionist enemy; all those treaties that weaken the Arab states and divide them … and we should expel the Zionist ambassador.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2303
First Published: July 18, 2006
National newspapers dilute coverage on side stories; independent press criticize
CAIRO: Newspapers in Egypt around the region are focusing intensely on the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, with national newspapers taking a calculated approach to coverage and the independent papers continuing to heap criticism on Arab states. Opinion columns in national papers make it a point to avoid shedding light on Egypt’s or the Arab state’s mild reaction to the war, now in its sixth day.
“The reaction [of Israel] is excessive, and like a wild bull it shatters anything that stands in its way,” says columnist Mohammad Abdel-Moneim in Al-Akhbar. “But the Israeli defense forces know exactly what they’re doing. In their vengeful act called The Tempest of Fire … the main aim was to destroy the infrastructure of Lebanon: water facilities, power plants, roads and bridges and even the Beirut International Airport.”
Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar newspapers featured pictures of President Hosni Mubarak and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates meeting to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon; Al-Masri Al-Youm carried a graphic picture of a young girl’s corpse killed during the Israeli offensive on its front page. As the independent and opposition press focus primarily on the war, running feature stories on Hezbollah and the history of its conflict with Israel, Al-Akhbar and Al Ahram combined war coverage with less intense news: thanawiyya amma (secondary school) exam results, briefs on social issues and stock market updates topping their stories.
“Egypt calls for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon,” reads one Al-Akhbar headline, followed by statements by Mubarak during a Sunday press conference. “Israel will not be a winner in this war, on the contrary it is provoking [more] hostilities,” said Mubarak. “We should use logic and reason to resolve the current situation.”
Mubarak was also quoted by Al-Akhbar as saying that “other sides” that intervened in the Israeli-Lebanese situation have hampered Egypt’s role as a mediator. The president also said that Egypt welcomes an Arab summit, “however, we have to agree on points first.”
Meanwhile, as anger grows, opposition forces including the Muslim Brotherhood have escalated their condemnation of the war while accusing Arab states of “apathy.” “This crisis has unveiled the true weakness and the failure of the Arab systems,” says Mohammad Mahdi Akef, supreme guide of the Islamic group. “The silence of the Arab states [in response to the Israeli offensive] is inexplicable; it shows that there is some kind of collaboration [with Israel].”
In his statement, Akef, whose group uses “Islam is the solution” as its slogan, says that refraining from religion and Islamic sharia (law) is one of the main reasons Arab states have reached this “sad state.” “By shunning sharia … [the state] has lost the compass that shows it the way and the aim,” said Akef, adding, “The only way out now is to go back to religion.”
Apart from refraining from Islamic rule, Akef says that Arab leaders have attained their legitimacy through coups, revolutions or foreign intervention, another reason for their weakness “in the face of Zionists.”
In the People’s Assembly (Egypt’s upper house of parliament), criticism of governments, mainly Egypt’s, is no less intense.
“Egypt, being the biggest Arab country, should start calling on the Arab states to respond to the arrogant and fierce attacks from the sons of Zion,” said Mahmoud Megahed Ahmed, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood bloc in the house. “We should freeze all the treaties [that we have] with the Zionist enemy; all those treaties that weaken the Arab states and divide them … and we should expel the Zionist ambassador.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2303
IHT/DSE: Purported Al-Zarqawi successor doing time in Egyptian jail
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 17, 2006
U.S. military released inaccurate report of identity of Al-Qaeda leader Al-Muhajir
CAIRO: For more than seven years, Abu-Ayoub Al-Masry, the purported successor to Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, has been held in an Egyptian prison, an Islamist lawyer Mamdouh Ismail told The Daily Star Egypt.
After the death of Al-Zarqawi in Iraq, the U.S. military claimed that Al-Masry had succeeded the militant Islamist and had been appointed leader of the Al-Qaeda faction in Iraq. According to Al-Jazeera, the military claimed the Egyptian-born Al-Masry had moved to Afghanistan, where he was trained in bomb making, and then to Iraq. However, according to Ismail, the claimed successor is in fact doing time in Egypt.
“Al-Masry’s real name is Sherif Hazaa … I met him during a visit to one of my clients in Tora Mazraa Prison, I found him right in front of me,” says Ismail. Hazaa had been arrested in a terrorist case in 1998 and, although he was proved innocent in court, he has not been released since.
“When I met him, he swore to me that he does not even know anything about Iraq, has not left prison for more than seven years [and that] he was astonished when he heard that he was being accused of leading Al-Qaeda in Iraq.”
In response to the incident, the U.S. army center in Iraq was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm daily newspaper as saying that they cannot comment on the news that Al-Masry is in an Egyptian prison.
“We have to clarify that from the Egyptian government."
The Islamist’s lawyer, meanwhile, added that Hazaa is not to be confused with Abu-Hamza Al-Muhajir, now on the "most wanted" list broadcasted by the Iraqi government two weeks ago, noting that recent press reports have been identifying him as such.
Around a week ago, reports of the incident mentioned that Al-Masri is also known as Al-Muhajir (referring to Hazaa using both names). Al-Muhajir’s picture was also circulated earlier in the news, following Al-Zarqawi’s death.
“[What has been published] is not true,” says Ismail. “[Hazaa and Al-Muhajir] are two different people. The person in the picture is not Sherif Hazaa or Abu-Ayub Al-Masry … and the identity of Al-Muhajir, the real leader of Al-Qaeda, is still mysterious and unknown.”
Ismail claims that the U.S. military was trying to use the media in order to discover the real identity of Al-Qaeda’s new leader through the premature announcement.
“They circulated an inaccurate report with a wrong name in order to force Al-Qaeda to respond and reveal the real name of their new leader … [Al-Qaeda] did not fall for that, so they did not announce his real name and only identified him as Al-Muhajir,” says Ismail.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290
First Published: July 17, 2006
U.S. military released inaccurate report of identity of Al-Qaeda leader Al-Muhajir
CAIRO: For more than seven years, Abu-Ayoub Al-Masry, the purported successor to Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, has been held in an Egyptian prison, an Islamist lawyer Mamdouh Ismail told The Daily Star Egypt.
After the death of Al-Zarqawi in Iraq, the U.S. military claimed that Al-Masry had succeeded the militant Islamist and had been appointed leader of the Al-Qaeda faction in Iraq. According to Al-Jazeera, the military claimed the Egyptian-born Al-Masry had moved to Afghanistan, where he was trained in bomb making, and then to Iraq. However, according to Ismail, the claimed successor is in fact doing time in Egypt.
“Al-Masry’s real name is Sherif Hazaa … I met him during a visit to one of my clients in Tora Mazraa Prison, I found him right in front of me,” says Ismail. Hazaa had been arrested in a terrorist case in 1998 and, although he was proved innocent in court, he has not been released since.
“When I met him, he swore to me that he does not even know anything about Iraq, has not left prison for more than seven years [and that] he was astonished when he heard that he was being accused of leading Al-Qaeda in Iraq.”
In response to the incident, the U.S. army center in Iraq was quoted by Al-Masry Al-Youm daily newspaper as saying that they cannot comment on the news that Al-Masry is in an Egyptian prison.
“We have to clarify that from the Egyptian government."
The Islamist’s lawyer, meanwhile, added that Hazaa is not to be confused with Abu-Hamza Al-Muhajir, now on the "most wanted" list broadcasted by the Iraqi government two weeks ago, noting that recent press reports have been identifying him as such.
Around a week ago, reports of the incident mentioned that Al-Masri is also known as Al-Muhajir (referring to Hazaa using both names). Al-Muhajir’s picture was also circulated earlier in the news, following Al-Zarqawi’s death.
“[What has been published] is not true,” says Ismail. “[Hazaa and Al-Muhajir] are two different people. The person in the picture is not Sherif Hazaa or Abu-Ayub Al-Masry … and the identity of Al-Muhajir, the real leader of Al-Qaeda, is still mysterious and unknown.”
Ismail claims that the U.S. military was trying to use the media in order to discover the real identity of Al-Qaeda’s new leader through the premature announcement.
“They circulated an inaccurate report with a wrong name in order to force Al-Qaeda to respond and reveal the real name of their new leader … [Al-Qaeda] did not fall for that, so they did not announce his real name and only identified him as Al-Muhajir,” says Ismail.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290
IHT/DSE: NDP wants to exclude independents from elections
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 13, 2006
Muslim Brotherhood protests, claiming move directed at Islamists
CAIRO: In a review of government-proposed constitutional amendments, National Democratic Party (NDP) upper house of parliament members suggested that election candidacy be restricted to official party members, consequently excluding independents.
“There is no place for independents on the Egyptian political arena,” one NDP member was quoted as saying. In Tuesday’s session, ruling party members debated the proposed amendment in a “heated manner,” as described by the daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, and tempers flared as Muslim Brotherhood parliament members deemed the suggested amendment a move to crush the prominent Islamic group.
Mustapha Bakri, opposition leader and editor-at-large of Al-Osbou newspaper, supported the Brotherhood, saying that such amendments only aim at banning the Muslim Brotherhood from parliament.
Following the session, the group’s guidance office issued a statement to the press condemning the proposed amendment, saying it creates “an obstacle” in the path of the Brotherhood. “There is a strong wave among the party of the majority [NDP] to block the Muslim Brotherhood’s path to parliament.”
In their statement, Hussein Mohammed Ibrahim, Brotherhood representative in parliament, commented, “The majority party representative is trying to overthrow the Egyptian constitution … they are trying to tailor a law that prevents the Muslim Brotherhood from executive elections, and this in itself is a clear constitutional violation.”
The suggested amendment comes less than a week after the Muslim Brotherhood guidance office officially announced their intention to run for upcoming Shura Council (lower house of parliament) elections in April.
“We have a principal. It is that we would run for all elections, on every level, including the upcoming Shura Council elections,” Mohammed Mahdi Akef, the group’s supreme guide, told the press last week, adding that the group would not be distracted by “the expected retort from Egypt’s security.”
Akef’s statement was coupled with strong criticism of the government’s behavior toward Islamic activists, mainly the Muslim Brotherhood, especially during elections, where their members are systematically harassed and targeted, claims the group.
Last year, after violence-marred elections, the group (whose members ran as independents) won 88 seats out of the parliament’s 454 seats - an unprecedented level of success, making them the largest opposition bloc in the house, and reflecting the extent of their popularity.
The Islamic group’s presence in parliament ever since has spelled trouble for NDP members during regular parliament sessions, in which they have called the ruling party “corrupt” and focused on hot issues such as the Emergency Law, prisoners of conscience, the NDP’s wavering reform plan and police violence in throttling opposition and press freedom.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2241
First Published: July 13, 2006
Muslim Brotherhood protests, claiming move directed at Islamists
CAIRO: In a review of government-proposed constitutional amendments, National Democratic Party (NDP) upper house of parliament members suggested that election candidacy be restricted to official party members, consequently excluding independents.
“There is no place for independents on the Egyptian political arena,” one NDP member was quoted as saying. In Tuesday’s session, ruling party members debated the proposed amendment in a “heated manner,” as described by the daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, and tempers flared as Muslim Brotherhood parliament members deemed the suggested amendment a move to crush the prominent Islamic group.
Mustapha Bakri, opposition leader and editor-at-large of Al-Osbou newspaper, supported the Brotherhood, saying that such amendments only aim at banning the Muslim Brotherhood from parliament.
Following the session, the group’s guidance office issued a statement to the press condemning the proposed amendment, saying it creates “an obstacle” in the path of the Brotherhood. “There is a strong wave among the party of the majority [NDP] to block the Muslim Brotherhood’s path to parliament.”
In their statement, Hussein Mohammed Ibrahim, Brotherhood representative in parliament, commented, “The majority party representative is trying to overthrow the Egyptian constitution … they are trying to tailor a law that prevents the Muslim Brotherhood from executive elections, and this in itself is a clear constitutional violation.”
The suggested amendment comes less than a week after the Muslim Brotherhood guidance office officially announced their intention to run for upcoming Shura Council (lower house of parliament) elections in April.
“We have a principal. It is that we would run for all elections, on every level, including the upcoming Shura Council elections,” Mohammed Mahdi Akef, the group’s supreme guide, told the press last week, adding that the group would not be distracted by “the expected retort from Egypt’s security.”
Akef’s statement was coupled with strong criticism of the government’s behavior toward Islamic activists, mainly the Muslim Brotherhood, especially during elections, where their members are systematically harassed and targeted, claims the group.
Last year, after violence-marred elections, the group (whose members ran as independents) won 88 seats out of the parliament’s 454 seats - an unprecedented level of success, making them the largest opposition bloc in the house, and reflecting the extent of their popularity.
The Islamic group’s presence in parliament ever since has spelled trouble for NDP members during regular parliament sessions, in which they have called the ruling party “corrupt” and focused on hot issues such as the Emergency Law, prisoners of conscience, the NDP’s wavering reform plan and police violence in throttling opposition and press freedom.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2241
IHT/DSE: Parlimentarians maneuver to pass press law (press round-up)
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 11, 2006
CAIRO: Opposition and independent newspapers’ struggle against the controversial press bill continues. Front-page headlines feature slogans such as “The free press will never surrender” and “The July 9 Revolution,” referring to this Sunday when scores of reporters and pro-reform activists erupted in protest against the law.
“The new law slaughters journalists and protects corruption,” read one newspaper’s headline. “Down with freedom of press … hail corruption,” read a newspaper statement.
On its front page, Al-Masry Al-Youm ran a story accusing parliamentarian Ahmed Ezz and some 85 other upper house members of holding a secret meeting before Sunday’s session to rehearse their statements in reaction to the law. On Sunday, the parliament held its usual session and deemed the much-criticized law “ready to pass” despite journalists’ and press syndicate’s fierce campaign against it.
According to the daily newspaper, Ezz and his fellows, all National Democratic Party (NDP) members, reportedly agreed to present a unified front concerning passing certain articles of the law. According to the newspaper, they particularly stressed the importance of one article stating that a reporter faces the risk of imprisonment if he/she reports on the private property and funds of public figures.
“[Ezz] had urged the members to unite and form a parliamentarian bloc in order to pass the law in its current form, without amending the article on protection of private properties,” read the newspaper.
Although President Hosni Mubarak had promised a new law that protects journalists from jail, the debated amendments of the law confirmed prison sentences for reporters convicted of defamation charges and set fines as high as LE 30,000 in “libel and slander” cases. Many have seen the government-proposed law as “a blow to freedom of speech” in Egypt and a “step backward” from reform.
Al-Masry Al-Youm also carried the news of hundreds of Cairo University students who protested against Israeli raids in Gaza and the West Bank. The students, carrying banners supporting Hamas and denouncing Zionism, called for a boycott of American products, as the United States is a major ally of Israel. “Oh America … [Country] of freedom … See how many of us have died,” shouted some of the students.
On Sunday, Israeli artillery continued to attack Gaza, with the Israeli air force carrying out multiple raids on key areas in the city, with the Israeli Defense Forces believed to be responsible for an explosion in a house, killing three civilians. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news channel broadcast graphic pictures including that of a child being carried away soaked in blood, after one of the raids.
The European Union condemned the Israeli offensive, with Premier Ehud Olmert rejecting their criticism. Some countries have also expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Authority, especially since the U.S. decision to cut off aid has already drained the country’s resources and left the Palestinians plagued by poverty.
Also in the news is the arrest of 27 Muslim Brotherhood members in the city of Ras El-Bar. According to IkhwanOnline, the group’s Internet mouthpiece, the police arrested the members at their homes and confiscated computers, compact discs, audio-visual equipment and even some personal belongings of the members during their raid. The members were transferred to Cairo state security police for interrogation and investigation, where they will be kept in custody for at least 15 days. Charges have not yet been pressed.
“This act adds up to the police’s history of throttling the innocent and the sons of this nation,” said Deputy to the Supreme Guide Mohammad Habib in response to the arrests. “This is only an example of shackling freedom and invading people’s privacy.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2218
First Published: July 11, 2006
CAIRO: Opposition and independent newspapers’ struggle against the controversial press bill continues. Front-page headlines feature slogans such as “The free press will never surrender” and “The July 9 Revolution,” referring to this Sunday when scores of reporters and pro-reform activists erupted in protest against the law.
“The new law slaughters journalists and protects corruption,” read one newspaper’s headline. “Down with freedom of press … hail corruption,” read a newspaper statement.
On its front page, Al-Masry Al-Youm ran a story accusing parliamentarian Ahmed Ezz and some 85 other upper house members of holding a secret meeting before Sunday’s session to rehearse their statements in reaction to the law. On Sunday, the parliament held its usual session and deemed the much-criticized law “ready to pass” despite journalists’ and press syndicate’s fierce campaign against it.
According to the daily newspaper, Ezz and his fellows, all National Democratic Party (NDP) members, reportedly agreed to present a unified front concerning passing certain articles of the law. According to the newspaper, they particularly stressed the importance of one article stating that a reporter faces the risk of imprisonment if he/she reports on the private property and funds of public figures.
“[Ezz] had urged the members to unite and form a parliamentarian bloc in order to pass the law in its current form, without amending the article on protection of private properties,” read the newspaper.
Although President Hosni Mubarak had promised a new law that protects journalists from jail, the debated amendments of the law confirmed prison sentences for reporters convicted of defamation charges and set fines as high as LE 30,000 in “libel and slander” cases. Many have seen the government-proposed law as “a blow to freedom of speech” in Egypt and a “step backward” from reform.
Al-Masry Al-Youm also carried the news of hundreds of Cairo University students who protested against Israeli raids in Gaza and the West Bank. The students, carrying banners supporting Hamas and denouncing Zionism, called for a boycott of American products, as the United States is a major ally of Israel. “Oh America … [Country] of freedom … See how many of us have died,” shouted some of the students.
On Sunday, Israeli artillery continued to attack Gaza, with the Israeli air force carrying out multiple raids on key areas in the city, with the Israeli Defense Forces believed to be responsible for an explosion in a house, killing three civilians. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news channel broadcast graphic pictures including that of a child being carried away soaked in blood, after one of the raids.
The European Union condemned the Israeli offensive, with Premier Ehud Olmert rejecting their criticism. Some countries have also expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Authority, especially since the U.S. decision to cut off aid has already drained the country’s resources and left the Palestinians plagued by poverty.
Also in the news is the arrest of 27 Muslim Brotherhood members in the city of Ras El-Bar. According to IkhwanOnline, the group’s Internet mouthpiece, the police arrested the members at their homes and confiscated computers, compact discs, audio-visual equipment and even some personal belongings of the members during their raid. The members were transferred to Cairo state security police for interrogation and investigation, where they will be kept in custody for at least 15 days. Charges have not yet been pressed.
“This act adds up to the police’s history of throttling the innocent and the sons of this nation,” said Deputy to the Supreme Guide Mohammad Habib in response to the arrests. “This is only an example of shackling freedom and invading people’s privacy.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2218
IHT/DSE: Anger over press law continues unabated
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 10, 2006
Independent and opposition newspapers strike against new law
CAIRO: Journalists continue to protest a government-proposed press law after Egypt’s People’s Assembly announced that it was prepared to pass it.
More than 20 independent and opposition newspapers and magazines launched a strike on Sunday; only national newspapers were to be seen on newsstands. Many pro-democracy and Kefaya (Enough) activists, in an act of solidarity, said they had refrained from buying the available state-owned newspapers, whose editors chose to take a less daring stance against the law.
“I am against the strike … I cannot hold back my newspaper,” daily Al-Akhbar editor-at-large Momtaz Al-Qot told The Cairo Today Show Saturday night. “We function in a country where the law should be respected. I’m against some articles in the new law but I respect the [parliament’s] legitimacy.”
“The law does not have to cater to all journalists’ demands,” added Al-Qot. “[The parliament] has to put in mind the interests of other groups within our society … [The decision-makers] have to balance out these interests.”
Meanwhile, scores of angry journalists and pro-reform activists demonstrated for hours by the gates of Egypt’s upper house of parliament, while the session, in which the draft law was being discussed, proceeded.
Activists shouted slogans, held opposition-related signs and insisted on sitting in until the end of the session. A group of syndicate members, however, moved to their headquarters to give the press their final statement on what they called “a repressive law.”
"If the majority passes the draft bill, we will not abide by it and if [the authorities] have the courage, let them imprison all of us," Gamal Fahmy, senior member of the syndicate, told AFP during the protest.
In their statement to the press, the editors on strike promised to stand firm and to continue to peacefully protest against the bill if it is finally approved in its current form. Repeatedly, the editors have called on President Hosni Mubarak to intervene and “respect his promise.” The syndicate issued a harsh statement against the members of parliament who support the law, calling them “the party of corruption.”
“Despite restrictions, [we journalists] will maintain our fierce campaign to unveil corruption, using documents and evidence, no matter what the repercussions are and despite the depressing punishments, which deny us our freedoms,” read the syndicate’s statement. “The public opinion and the grassroots support us and they are proud to do so.”
The much-anticipated law did nothing to alleviate journalist’s problem; above all it failed to fulfill Mubarak’s promises of reform and press freedom. The law, which was expected to lift harsh punishments and protect journalists from jail in “libel and slander” cases, instead sanctioned even larger fines and confirmed imprisonment for “defamation.”
An amended article also states that reporters will likely face jail terms if they report on public property and funds of public and government figures; a notion that journalists say “protects the corrupt.”
In addition to ignoring journalist’s demands, four parliamentarians and National Democratic Party members who favored the law publicly ridiculed journalists and syndicate members during one of the parliament’s sessions.
On Saturday, human rights groups denounced the law. In their statement, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo) said, "The Egyptian society should unite to support the press syndicate in its demand to protect journalists and should unite against the government's insistence to violate press freedom, which is a violation of the right of the society as a whole.”
"Claiming that imprisonment is not necessary but permissible is misleading," added Gamal Eid, HRInfo executive director.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2207
First Published: July 10, 2006
Independent and opposition newspapers strike against new law
CAIRO: Journalists continue to protest a government-proposed press law after Egypt’s People’s Assembly announced that it was prepared to pass it.
More than 20 independent and opposition newspapers and magazines launched a strike on Sunday; only national newspapers were to be seen on newsstands. Many pro-democracy and Kefaya (Enough) activists, in an act of solidarity, said they had refrained from buying the available state-owned newspapers, whose editors chose to take a less daring stance against the law.
“I am against the strike … I cannot hold back my newspaper,” daily Al-Akhbar editor-at-large Momtaz Al-Qot told The Cairo Today Show Saturday night. “We function in a country where the law should be respected. I’m against some articles in the new law but I respect the [parliament’s] legitimacy.”
“The law does not have to cater to all journalists’ demands,” added Al-Qot. “[The parliament] has to put in mind the interests of other groups within our society … [The decision-makers] have to balance out these interests.”
Meanwhile, scores of angry journalists and pro-reform activists demonstrated for hours by the gates of Egypt’s upper house of parliament, while the session, in which the draft law was being discussed, proceeded.
Activists shouted slogans, held opposition-related signs and insisted on sitting in until the end of the session. A group of syndicate members, however, moved to their headquarters to give the press their final statement on what they called “a repressive law.”
"If the majority passes the draft bill, we will not abide by it and if [the authorities] have the courage, let them imprison all of us," Gamal Fahmy, senior member of the syndicate, told AFP during the protest.
In their statement to the press, the editors on strike promised to stand firm and to continue to peacefully protest against the bill if it is finally approved in its current form. Repeatedly, the editors have called on President Hosni Mubarak to intervene and “respect his promise.” The syndicate issued a harsh statement against the members of parliament who support the law, calling them “the party of corruption.”
“Despite restrictions, [we journalists] will maintain our fierce campaign to unveil corruption, using documents and evidence, no matter what the repercussions are and despite the depressing punishments, which deny us our freedoms,” read the syndicate’s statement. “The public opinion and the grassroots support us and they are proud to do so.”
The much-anticipated law did nothing to alleviate journalist’s problem; above all it failed to fulfill Mubarak’s promises of reform and press freedom. The law, which was expected to lift harsh punishments and protect journalists from jail in “libel and slander” cases, instead sanctioned even larger fines and confirmed imprisonment for “defamation.”
An amended article also states that reporters will likely face jail terms if they report on public property and funds of public and government figures; a notion that journalists say “protects the corrupt.”
In addition to ignoring journalist’s demands, four parliamentarians and National Democratic Party members who favored the law publicly ridiculed journalists and syndicate members during one of the parliament’s sessions.
On Saturday, human rights groups denounced the law. In their statement, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo) said, "The Egyptian society should unite to support the press syndicate in its demand to protect journalists and should unite against the government's insistence to violate press freedom, which is a violation of the right of the society as a whole.”
"Claiming that imprisonment is not necessary but permissible is misleading," added Gamal Eid, HRInfo executive director.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2207
IHT/DSE: Muslim Brotherhood to run in Shura Council Elections
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 8, 2006
Group accuses government of obeying U.S. commands
CAIRO: One of Egypt’s principal opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, announced Thursday their intention to run in the coming elections for the Shura Council (lower house of parliament) in April.
“We have a principal. It is that we would run for all elections, on every level, including the upcoming Shura Council elections,” Mohammad Mahdi Akef, the group’s supreme guide, told the press on Thursday. “We will not be distracted by the expected retort from Egypt’s security.”
In his statement, Akef harshly criticized the government’s behavior during past local elections, saying that it only refrains from its “brutal activities” and its security when the United States demands it and “later unleashes security forces in order to throttle the people, also upon a signal … a green light from the United States.” Akef added that Egypt’s attitude toward the Islamic group (especially during elections) is often hailed by the United States.
The controversial Islamic group is recovering from what they have called “harassment” and “targeting of Brotherhood supporters” recently in Alexandria’s chamber of commerce elections, where the Brotherhood also ran candidates. During voting, the Brotherhood claimed that their supporters were pushed away from polling stations and that more than a hundred of their cadres were beaten and arrested.
The Brotherhood’s experience in the last upper house of parliament elections was also marred by violence, when dozens of their supporters were rounded up. Clashes between Muslim Brotherhood members and National Democratic Party “thugs” were a regular scene at major polling stations. Accusations of vote rigging were exchanged between the two parties.
Nevertheless, the group (who were only allowed to run as independents) managed to win 88 seats out of the parliament’s 454 seats, making them the largest opposition bloc in the house and reflecting their popularity among the grassroots.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2182
First Published: July 8, 2006
Group accuses government of obeying U.S. commands
CAIRO: One of Egypt’s principal opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, announced Thursday their intention to run in the coming elections for the Shura Council (lower house of parliament) in April.
“We have a principal. It is that we would run for all elections, on every level, including the upcoming Shura Council elections,” Mohammad Mahdi Akef, the group’s supreme guide, told the press on Thursday. “We will not be distracted by the expected retort from Egypt’s security.”
In his statement, Akef harshly criticized the government’s behavior during past local elections, saying that it only refrains from its “brutal activities” and its security when the United States demands it and “later unleashes security forces in order to throttle the people, also upon a signal … a green light from the United States.” Akef added that Egypt’s attitude toward the Islamic group (especially during elections) is often hailed by the United States.
The controversial Islamic group is recovering from what they have called “harassment” and “targeting of Brotherhood supporters” recently in Alexandria’s chamber of commerce elections, where the Brotherhood also ran candidates. During voting, the Brotherhood claimed that their supporters were pushed away from polling stations and that more than a hundred of their cadres were beaten and arrested.
The Brotherhood’s experience in the last upper house of parliament elections was also marred by violence, when dozens of their supporters were rounded up. Clashes between Muslim Brotherhood members and National Democratic Party “thugs” were a regular scene at major polling stations. Accusations of vote rigging were exchanged between the two parties.
Nevertheless, the group (who were only allowed to run as independents) managed to win 88 seats out of the parliament’s 454 seats, making them the largest opposition bloc in the house and reflecting their popularity among the grassroots.
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2182
IHT/DSE: Judicial law passes over judges' objections
By Pakinam Amer
First Published: July 5, 2006
ACIJLP publishes report outlining the law’s shortcomings
CAIRO: Members of the self-elected Judges Club have decided to stand firm in their protests against a recently amended draft of the judicial law, clinging hard to their independence, as parliament decided to pass the final draft of the law despite the club’s reservations and recently voiced objections to some articles.
The Judges Club planned to hold a meeting of their General Assembly to discuss what some members of the press have called a “provocative” law, while the independent Arab Center for Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) published a report outlining the new law’s shortcomings and emphasizing the impact a law stifling judicial authority could have on the community.
“This law is especially important because it organizes the work of judges who are in charge of taking the final decision concerning the lives, freedoms, rights, duties and property of citizens,” read the report. “As a result, there is a need for the judiciary authority to have complete power over all issues of a judiciary nature.”
The law has some positive aspects, explained ACIJLP, a notion voiced even by some of the protesting judges. It does have, however, other aspects that are incompatible with international criteria relevant to the independence of the judiciary authority, “particularly principles concerning the independence of the judiciary authority approved through the United Nations General Assembly decisions.”
According to the report, the final draft does not include objective criteria for the selection and appointment of the judiciary despite “the failure of authorities in charge of appointment to adhere to the criteria of fairness and transparency to the point [that] litigations [were raised] before the state council demanding the cancellation of many appointments and the subsequent exclusion of many efficient judges.” In addition, the final draft does not include text that discourages depriving women of certain public positions and thus it does not guarantee their constitutional rights, neither does it include statements preventing the possible occurrence of discrimination toward candidates for judicial authority on the basis of gender, color, religion or political inclinations and opinions.
The new law, continues the report, also does not mention the right of judges to freely establish or form associations or other organizations that can represent their interests, organize their professional training and defend their judiciary independence - neither does it give the judges the freedom of affiliating with such organizations, even though it is an “enforced right in democratic systems.”
In a recent interview with The Daily Star Egypt, deputy of the cassation court and outspoken judge Mahmoud Mekki, one of two judges who blew the whistle on vote rigging during last year’s presidential elections, added that an entity like “the Judges Club should also remain under the sole control of its own self-elected general assembly, answering to no other entity. [However] the new law does not secure this, and in turn suggests that interference and meddling in the club’s internal affairs could possibly occur.”
The draft law retains the Justice Ministry’s and the Supreme Judicial Council’s authorities over judicial inspection, and the recruitment, promotion and supervision of judges. This notion that the Judges Club rejected, calling for its amendment. The law clearly maintains the government’s authority in appointing the general prosecutor and the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council almost unconditionally, undermining judicial independence and attaching judicial authority to the executive authority.
It does “not provide clear articles or text to address the position of public prosecution and its separation from the executive authority,” commented the report. “The law [does] not point out any objective criteria in the selection of the prosecutor general [although] public prosecution continues to combine the authorities of issuing charges and investigation when public prosecution should, as is the case in democratic systems, be in charge of accusation as long as it is affiliated to the executive authority in which case it should leave investigation to the judiciary authority.”
The law also allows heads of courts to assign specific judges to certain cases, a rule that violates citizens’ rights and breaches article 14 of the UN’s basic principles concerning the independence of the judiciary.
The parliament-proposed rule does not allow judges to be nominated for the general assemblies of the Court of Cassation and the Cairo Court of Appeals to form the Supreme Judiciary Council and considers seniority the sole basis for forming the council; another aspect that the Judges Club rejects.
Finally, ACIJLP said that passing such a law should have been first and foremost guided by the judges’ opinion, especially since the law manages their profession, “the provisions of which they are the most capable [because of] practice, real life experience [and their understanding of] the minute details that support or disturb their independence.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2137
First Published: July 5, 2006
ACIJLP publishes report outlining the law’s shortcomings
CAIRO: Members of the self-elected Judges Club have decided to stand firm in their protests against a recently amended draft of the judicial law, clinging hard to their independence, as parliament decided to pass the final draft of the law despite the club’s reservations and recently voiced objections to some articles.
The Judges Club planned to hold a meeting of their General Assembly to discuss what some members of the press have called a “provocative” law, while the independent Arab Center for Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) published a report outlining the new law’s shortcomings and emphasizing the impact a law stifling judicial authority could have on the community.
“This law is especially important because it organizes the work of judges who are in charge of taking the final decision concerning the lives, freedoms, rights, duties and property of citizens,” read the report. “As a result, there is a need for the judiciary authority to have complete power over all issues of a judiciary nature.”
The law has some positive aspects, explained ACIJLP, a notion voiced even by some of the protesting judges. It does have, however, other aspects that are incompatible with international criteria relevant to the independence of the judiciary authority, “particularly principles concerning the independence of the judiciary authority approved through the United Nations General Assembly decisions.”
According to the report, the final draft does not include objective criteria for the selection and appointment of the judiciary despite “the failure of authorities in charge of appointment to adhere to the criteria of fairness and transparency to the point [that] litigations [were raised] before the state council demanding the cancellation of many appointments and the subsequent exclusion of many efficient judges.” In addition, the final draft does not include text that discourages depriving women of certain public positions and thus it does not guarantee their constitutional rights, neither does it include statements preventing the possible occurrence of discrimination toward candidates for judicial authority on the basis of gender, color, religion or political inclinations and opinions.
The new law, continues the report, also does not mention the right of judges to freely establish or form associations or other organizations that can represent their interests, organize their professional training and defend their judiciary independence - neither does it give the judges the freedom of affiliating with such organizations, even though it is an “enforced right in democratic systems.”
In a recent interview with The Daily Star Egypt, deputy of the cassation court and outspoken judge Mahmoud Mekki, one of two judges who blew the whistle on vote rigging during last year’s presidential elections, added that an entity like “the Judges Club should also remain under the sole control of its own self-elected general assembly, answering to no other entity. [However] the new law does not secure this, and in turn suggests that interference and meddling in the club’s internal affairs could possibly occur.”
The draft law retains the Justice Ministry’s and the Supreme Judicial Council’s authorities over judicial inspection, and the recruitment, promotion and supervision of judges. This notion that the Judges Club rejected, calling for its amendment. The law clearly maintains the government’s authority in appointing the general prosecutor and the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council almost unconditionally, undermining judicial independence and attaching judicial authority to the executive authority.
It does “not provide clear articles or text to address the position of public prosecution and its separation from the executive authority,” commented the report. “The law [does] not point out any objective criteria in the selection of the prosecutor general [although] public prosecution continues to combine the authorities of issuing charges and investigation when public prosecution should, as is the case in democratic systems, be in charge of accusation as long as it is affiliated to the executive authority in which case it should leave investigation to the judiciary authority.”
The law also allows heads of courts to assign specific judges to certain cases, a rule that violates citizens’ rights and breaches article 14 of the UN’s basic principles concerning the independence of the judiciary.
The parliament-proposed rule does not allow judges to be nominated for the general assemblies of the Court of Cassation and the Cairo Court of Appeals to form the Supreme Judiciary Council and considers seniority the sole basis for forming the council; another aspect that the Judges Club rejects.
Finally, ACIJLP said that passing such a law should have been first and foremost guided by the judges’ opinion, especially since the law manages their profession, “the provisions of which they are the most capable [because of] practice, real life experience [and their understanding of] the minute details that support or disturb their independence.”
Link: http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2137
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