Anthony Weiner happens to be my congressman, as I live in Kew Gardens. Though we don't agree on a lot of issues, we certainly see eye to eye on Republicans. This video is testament to his Jewish sense of humor.
March 31, 2011
"April Ful's Night" offers a look at current Middle East events through art, culture
"Ful," Egypt's national dish made of mashed fava beans, will be served together with roasted goat at Friday night's event at the Oakland Museum of California, when "April Ful's Night" visitors will share a communal meal and talk about the latest developments in the Middle East.
The event is about "combining cultural work with social dialogue," says Rene De Guzman, Senior Curator of Art, adding, "You have people over for dinner, you discuss what's on your mind, and that's what we'll do on that night.
Friday, April 1st
6–7pm : Communal Meal
7–9pm : Talks, Performances, Music, Conversation
Admission: free, gallery admission half-price
Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on.
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Friday, April 1st
6–7pm : Communal Meal
7–9pm : Talks, Performances, Music, Conversation
Admission: free, gallery admission half-price
Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on.
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Marine Le Pen sur la radio israélienne 90FM :
Le Pen, les juifs et les musulmans
En ce 29 Mars 2011, Marine Le Pen a réalisé une sorte de grand écart en acceptant les invitations d’une radio israélienne l’après-midi et celle de radio Orient le soir même. Voici donc une bonne occasion d’observer si celle-ci conserve un discours constant face à ces 2 interlocuteurs. On remarquera au passage son petit mot pour messieurs Dieudonné et Alain Soral.
En ce 29 Mars 2011, Marine Le Pen a réalisé une sorte de grand écart en acceptant les invitations d’une radio israélienne l’après-midi et celle de radio Orient le soir même. Voici donc une bonne occasion d’observer si celle-ci conserve un discours constant face à ces 2 interlocuteurs. On remarquera au passage son petit mot pour messieurs Dieudonné et Alain Soral.
Conférence internationale: «Durban III, .....
Briefings d'experts: des diplomates de premier plan, avocats et experts adresseront les derniers développements, notamment:
- Que faire de Durban III
- Menace contre Tzipi Livini: les plaintes contre des dirigeants israéliens dans les tribunaux européens
- La société civile, Israel, les ONG et le mouvement international des Droits de l'Homme
- La 'Mise en place' du rapport Goldstone
- Le Conseil des Droits de l'Homme après 5 ans d'existence: Réforme ou Régression?
- "Pourquoi Israël est un état voyou": l'étudiant Gabriel Latner parle de son fameux discours au débat de Cambridge Union Debate
Et bien d'autres...suite>>
What Is the Kabbalah Center?
A report of new lawsuits and an IRS investigation is dragging the Kabbalah Learning Center back into the spotlight. According to reports on the Internet:
Kabbalah Center on Robertson Boulevard.
Courtenay Geddes, a wealthy heiress from Pasadena, California, has sued the Kabbalah Centre of Los Angeles and all of its entities alleging a major swindle. Geddes’s suit — for $20 million– was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in February 2011. The news of the lawsuit comes on top of headlines concerning Kabbalah’s Raising Malawi charity reneging on a promise to build a girls academy in Malawi with pop star Madonna. As I reported exclusively yesterday, the Kabbalah Centre and Madonna have now hired a top spin doctor, Mark Fabiani, to protect the image of the singer and the organization. more>>
Hebron resident shares story of 1920s women's rights
Robin Schuricht, of Hebron, portrays Victoria Woodhull during a recent Echoes in Time Theatre presentation at the Ohio Historical Society. An education specialist at the historical society, Schuricht has portrayed Woodhull for the last three years. / Submitted photo
NEWARK -- To celebrate Women's History Month this year, Robin Schuricht decided to transform herself into an 80-year-old woman.
Every Saturday this month, the Hebron woman donned a 1920s-style dress and hat, put on a gray wig and applied copious amounts of make-up before taking the stage to portray women's rights activist Victoria Woodhull at the Ohio Historical Society's Echoes in Time Theatre.
An education specialist at the historical society, Schuricht, 60, has been portraying Woodhull for the past three years. continued>>
Samantha Power, long a critic of U.S. foreign policy, now helps shape it
An outspoken author and advocate against foreign atrocities before joining the Obama White House, she's now part of a small circle shaping the approach to the crises in Africa and the Middle East.
After years as an outsider who watched in frustration as the U.S. failed to stop foreign atrocities, Samantha Power now is an influential White House insider in a position to try to help prevent mass killings and limit the influence of rogue leaders.
Power is part of a small circle of presidential advisors shaping the U.S. approach to multiple crises rippling through the Middle East and North Africa. continued>>
Power is part of a small circle of presidential advisors shaping the U.S. approach to multiple crises rippling through the Middle East and North Africa. continued>>
Al Sameteen: the extra-special silent theatre group
The incredible Al Sameteen group will be honoured at the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre. The event will conclude with one of their amazing performances
As part of the Cultural Development Fund, the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre will play host to the special deaf performers of the Al Sameteen (The Silent) theatre group, trained by artist Reda Abdul Aziz.
Considered the first of its kind in the world, Al Sameteen, will be honoured by the cultural centre with a screening of the documentary film, Nahno Honna (We are here), directed by Sherine Reda. more>>
As part of the Cultural Development Fund, the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre will play host to the special deaf performers of the Al Sameteen (The Silent) theatre group, trained by artist Reda Abdul Aziz.
Considered the first of its kind in the world, Al Sameteen, will be honoured by the cultural centre with a screening of the documentary film, Nahno Honna (We are here), directed by Sherine Reda. more>>
A Persian feast for the new year
Shirazi Salad, from "Persian Food for the Non-Persian Bride."
I've found a soul sister in Simnegar because I am also a non-Persian bride. I learned to cook when my mother-in-law came for a visit that lasted seven years. It can be intimidating to prepare an unfamiliar cuisine, but this author has a gift for untangling the secrets and simplifying the process for others. It's a welcome resource as my family celebrates the Persian New Year, which began March 20 and continues for 13 days. more>>
When a Girl Is Executed … for Being Raped
By NICHOLAS KRISTOF
We’re all focused right now on Libya and budget battles at home, but this story from Bangladesh just broke my heart and outraged me — and offers a reminder of the daily human rights struggles of so many women and girls in villages around the world. A 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl, Hena,allegedly was ambushed when she went to an outdoor toilet, gagged, beaten and raped by an older man in her village (who was actually her cousin). They were caught by wife of the alleged rapist, and the wife then beat Hena up. An imam at a local mosque issued a fatwa saying that Hena was guilty of adultery and must be punished, and a village makeshift court sentenced Hena to 100 lashes in a public whipping.
Her last words were protestations of innocence. An excellent CNN blog post, based on interviews with family members, says that the parents “had no choice but to mind the imam’s order. They watched as the whip broke the skin of their youngest child and she fell unconscious to the ground.” continued>>
We’re all focused right now on Libya and budget battles at home, but this story from Bangladesh just broke my heart and outraged me — and offers a reminder of the daily human rights struggles of so many women and girls in villages around the world. A 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl, Hena,allegedly was ambushed when she went to an outdoor toilet, gagged, beaten and raped by an older man in her village (who was actually her cousin). They were caught by wife of the alleged rapist, and the wife then beat Hena up. An imam at a local mosque issued a fatwa saying that Hena was guilty of adultery and must be punished, and a village makeshift court sentenced Hena to 100 lashes in a public whipping.
Her last words were protestations of innocence. An excellent CNN blog post, based on interviews with family members, says that the parents “had no choice but to mind the imam’s order. They watched as the whip broke the skin of their youngest child and she fell unconscious to the ground.” continued>>
Egypt Offers Airlines Incentives To Boost Travel, Tourism
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Egypt is offering airlines incentives to fly to the tourism-dependent North African country as it seeks to stimulate demand and stop carriers from slashing capacity.
EasyJet PLC (EZJ.LN) and tour operator TUI Travel PLC (TT.LN) confirmed the incentive, which is offered in the form of a reduction in levy charged to airlines that is worth about $5 per passenger, or as payments to carriers for unfilled seats to discourage them from cutting numbers of flights to Egypt or deploying smaller aircraft that carry fewer passengers.
The offer started at the beginning of March and is open-ended, meaning the Egyptian government could pay incentives that run to more than $100 million over the course of the year. About 15 million tourists visited Egypt in 2010, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
No one at the ministry could be reached immediately for comment. more>>
EasyJet PLC (EZJ.LN) and tour operator TUI Travel PLC (TT.LN) confirmed the incentive, which is offered in the form of a reduction in levy charged to airlines that is worth about $5 per passenger, or as payments to carriers for unfilled seats to discourage them from cutting numbers of flights to Egypt or deploying smaller aircraft that carry fewer passengers.
The offer started at the beginning of March and is open-ended, meaning the Egyptian government could pay incentives that run to more than $100 million over the course of the year. About 15 million tourists visited Egypt in 2010, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
No one at the ministry could be reached immediately for comment. more>>
March 30, 2011
La France préparait depuis novembre le renversement de Kadhafi
Selon le journaliste de la droite libérale italienne Franco Bechis, la révolte de Benghazi aurait été préparée depuis novembre 2010 par les services secrets français. Comme le remarque Miguel Martinez du site internet progressiste ComeDonChisciotte, ces révélations, encouragées par les services secrets italiens, doivent se comprendre comme une rivalité au sein du capitalisme européen.
Le Réseau Voltaire précise que Paris a rapidement associé Londres à son projet de renversement du colonel Kadhafi (force expéditionnaire franco-britannique). Ce plan a été modifié dans le contexte des révolutions arabes et pris en main par Washington qui a imposé ses propres objectifs (contre-révolution dans le monde arabe et débarquement de l’Africom sur le continent noir). La coalition actuelle est donc la résultante de ces ambitions distinctes, ce qui explique ses contradictions internes. suite>>
Syrie : Bachar Al-Assad a parlé pendant 45 minutes pour vendre du vent à son peuple
Devant les députés syriens aux applaudissements généreux, le président Assad a prononcé un discours de plus de 45 minutes, pour évoquer la situation dans son pays, mais sans rien annoncer pour calmer la population. Au contraire, il a laissé au peuple le loisir de choisir entre le pain et les réformes !
Assad a remercié le peuple qui s’est mobilisé, hier par millions, pour défendre l’unité du pays. Mais le président n’a pas dit mot sur les ordres adressés par fax depuis le ministère de l’Administration locale aux entreprises et autres administrations afin d’obliger leurs employés à manifester [cliquez ici pour voir un exemplaire de la circulaire adressée à l’administration de Deraa et cliquez ici pour voir l’exemplaire émanant des autorités de la province de Tartous]. Assad a affirmé, une nouvelle fois, que « la Syrie fait face à un complot, mais que la vigilance du peuple l’a déjoué. Ce complot a été préparé depuis plusieurs mois, avec la campagne de mobilisation sur internet et dans les télévisions satellitaires, prenant des revendications sociales légitimes et des réformes une couverture pour semer la discorde (Fitna) ». suite>>
Assad a remercié le peuple qui s’est mobilisé, hier par millions, pour défendre l’unité du pays. Mais le président n’a pas dit mot sur les ordres adressés par fax depuis le ministère de l’Administration locale aux entreprises et autres administrations afin d’obliger leurs employés à manifester [cliquez ici pour voir un exemplaire de la circulaire adressée à l’administration de Deraa et cliquez ici pour voir l’exemplaire émanant des autorités de la province de Tartous]. Assad a affirmé, une nouvelle fois, que « la Syrie fait face à un complot, mais que la vigilance du peuple l’a déjoué. Ce complot a été préparé depuis plusieurs mois, avec la campagne de mobilisation sur internet et dans les télévisions satellitaires, prenant des revendications sociales légitimes et des réformes une couverture pour semer la discorde (Fitna) ». suite>>
Travel U: The Jews of Egypt - April 28, 2011
Learn the little-known history of the Jewish communities of Egypt from Pharonic times to the present day. Download PDF itinerary >
Registration 10:00 - 10:25 am
Welcoming remarks 10:25 am
Seminar end 5:15 pm
Registration 10:00 - 10:25 am
Welcoming remarks 10:25 am
Seminar end 5:15 pm
Dr. André Aciman - Growing Up Jewish in Egypt
Dr. Aciman is a specialist in 17th-century French literature and modern European literature. His 1995 book, Out of Egypt: A Memoir, about his Jewish-Turkish-Italian family's life in Alexandria, was called "a classic memoir of modern Jewish life" by the New York Times.
Dr. Aciman is a specialist in 17th-century French literature and modern European literature. His 1995 book, Out of Egypt: A Memoir, about his Jewish-Turkish-Italian family's life in Alexandria, was called "a classic memoir of modern Jewish life" by the New York Times.
Dr. Susan Braunstein - Synagogue Architecture and Ritual Objects from 19th-20th century Egypt
Dr. Braunstein has worked at The Jewish Museum for 30 years, beginning as a Research Associate and advancing to Curator of Archaeology and Judaica. During her tenure at The Jewish Museum, Dr. Braunstein has worked on numerous exhibitions on both antiquities and Jewish ceremonial art. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1998, writing her dissertation on burial customs of Canaanites under Egyptian control. Dr. Braunstein was the accompanying scholar on the Museum's first trip to Egypt in 2010, during which she taught the long history of the Jews of Egypt from antiquity until today.
David Cowles - Photographing in Egypt: Notes from My Journal
In 1993, David Cowles made the first of numerous trips to North Africa to document remaining Jewish sites in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. His work is in numerous collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Tel Aviv Museum and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
In 1993, David Cowles made the first of numerous trips to North Africa to document remaining Jewish sites in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. His work is in numerous collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Tel Aviv Museum and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Daniel Pipes - Egypt's Chance
Daniel Pipes, a historian, is director of the Middle East Forum and Taube distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. A former official in the U.S. Department of State, he has taught at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the U.S. Naval War College, and Pepperdine University. He has written twelve books and his website, DanielPipes.org, with a near-complete archive of his writings, has recorded nearly 60 million page visits. He writes a bi-weekly column for the Jerusalem Post, National Reviewand other publications; his writings have been translated into 33 languages. Two U.S. presidents have appointed Mr. Pipes to U.S. government positions. Al-Qaeda has invited him to convert to Islam, Edward Kennedy borked him, and Edward Said called him an “Orientalist.” His current focus is on the phenomenon of lawful Islamism (or soft jihad), the forwarding of radical Islam through legitimate means.
Daniel Pipes, a historian, is director of the Middle East Forum and Taube distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. A former official in the U.S. Department of State, he has taught at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the U.S. Naval War College, and Pepperdine University. He has written twelve books and his website, DanielPipes.org, with a near-complete archive of his writings, has recorded nearly 60 million page visits. He writes a bi-weekly column for the Jerusalem Post, National Reviewand other publications; his writings have been translated into 33 languages. Two U.S. presidents have appointed Mr. Pipes to U.S. government positions. Al-Qaeda has invited him to convert to Islam, Edward Kennedy borked him, and Edward Said called him an “Orientalist.” His current focus is on the phenomenon of lawful Islamism (or soft jihad), the forwarding of radical Islam through legitimate means.
Dr. Raymond Scheindlin - Jews, Greeks, and Arabs: The Jews in Egypt in Hellenistic and Medieval Times
Dr. Scheindlin is professor of Medieval Hebrew Literature at The Jewish Theological Seminary and director of JTS's Shalom Spiegel Institute of Medieval Hebrew Poetry.
Dr. Scheindlin is professor of Medieval Hebrew Literature at The Jewish Theological Seminary and director of JTS's Shalom Spiegel Institute of Medieval Hebrew Poetry.
Dr. Diane M. Sharon -The Myth of Jews in Pharonic Egypt
Dr. Sharon is currently a member of the faculty in Bible at the Academy for Jewish Religion and has published on the Hebrew Bible in its ancient Near Eastern context, comparative religion, literary analysis and women’s studies.
Dr. Sharon is currently a member of the faculty in Bible at the Academy for Jewish Religion and has published on the Hebrew Bible in its ancient Near Eastern context, comparative religion, literary analysis and women’s studies.
Samuel R. Thomas - Mitzrayim and Maqam: Foundations of Egyptian Music
Currently a Ph.D candidate in ethnomusicology at CUNY Graduate Center and bandleader of Asefa, Thomas is an adjunct professor in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at CUNY, John Jay College and in the Music Department at CUNY, Hunter College.
Currently a Ph.D candidate in ethnomusicology at CUNY Graduate Center and bandleader of Asefa, Thomas is an adjunct professor in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at CUNY, John Jay College and in the Music Department at CUNY, Hunter College.
Man faces terrorism charges after arrest at Toronto airport
The RCMP say the man was arrested Tuesday at Pearson International Airport as he was about to board a plane bound for the Middle East.
Mohamed Hersi, 25, appeared in a Brampton, Ont., court on Wednesday to face charges of attempting to participate in terrorist activity and with providing counsel to a person to participate in terrorist activity.
It is alleged the man was about to board a plane bound for Cairo, Egypt transiting through London, England. He was then believed to be heading to Somalia.
The matter was put over until Friday. more>>
L'Égypte élira un nouveau président avant la fin de l'année
Le prix Nobel de la Paix, Mohamed ElBaradei, a déjà fait part de son intention de se présenter lors du scrutin.
L'Égypte élira vers la fin de l'année un nouveau président à qui l'armée remettra ses pouvoirs, a annoncé mercredi l'institution militaire qui tient les rênes du pays depuis la chute en février du président Hosni Moubarak.
Cette élection aura lieu «un à deux mois» après les législatives prévues en septembre pour les deux chambres du Parlement, a déclaré à la presse le général Mamdouh Chahine, membre du Conseil suprême des forces armées (CSFA).
Les militaires, qui gouvernent par décret, remettront le pouvoir législatif au futur Parlement élu, puis le pouvoir exécutif au chef de l'État qui sortira des urnes, a-t-il ajouté. suite>>
Alexandria Copts shun Brotherhood political party invitation
A number of Copts and Christian leaders in Alexandria have rejected a Muslim Brotherhood invitation to join the group's proposed Freedom and Justice Party.
They attributed their rejection to the principles and goals of the party, which they described as obscure. They said the planned party is based on religion, which is unacceptable to the Coptic Church.
Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie on Monday invited Christians to join the proposed party, saying the invitation was intended as a reassuring message for Egypt's Copts.
Rady Iskandar, pastor at the Evangelican Church in Alexandria, said he refuses to join any political party based on race or religion, whether Islam or Christianity. more>>
They attributed their rejection to the principles and goals of the party, which they described as obscure. They said the planned party is based on religion, which is unacceptable to the Coptic Church.
Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie on Monday invited Christians to join the proposed party, saying the invitation was intended as a reassuring message for Egypt's Copts.
Rady Iskandar, pastor at the Evangelican Church in Alexandria, said he refuses to join any political party based on race or religion, whether Islam or Christianity. more>>
The Dis-Integration of Europe
European leaders are attacking 'multiculturalism' in a transparent ploy to appeal to far-right voters. But they're threatening decades of progress in reaching out to Muslim minorities.
One by one, the leaders of Europe's three biggest immigration destinations have stepped up to solemnly repudiate a policy that has long ceased to exist. In recent months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have let it be known that multiculturalism shall no longer be the continent's doctrine of immigrant integration.
"The multicultural approach, saying that we simply live side by side and be happy about one another, utterly failed," declared Merkel in a speech in October 2010.
"Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream. We've failed to provide a vision of society to which they feel they want to belong," said Cameron on February 2011.
"Multiculturalism is a failure. The truth is that in our democracies, we cared too much about the identity of the migrant and not sufficiently about the identity of the country that welcomed him," Nicolas Sarkozy announced on French TV later that month. continued>>
One by one, the leaders of Europe's three biggest immigration destinations have stepped up to solemnly repudiate a policy that has long ceased to exist. In recent months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have let it be known that multiculturalism shall no longer be the continent's doctrine of immigrant integration.
"The multicultural approach, saying that we simply live side by side and be happy about one another, utterly failed," declared Merkel in a speech in October 2010.
"Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream. We've failed to provide a vision of society to which they feel they want to belong," said Cameron on February 2011.
"Multiculturalism is a failure. The truth is that in our democracies, we cared too much about the identity of the migrant and not sufficiently about the identity of the country that welcomed him," Nicolas Sarkozy announced on French TV later that month. continued>>
Un ingénieur palestinien enlevé en Ukraine sur ordre du Mossad
Un ingénieur palestinien, détenu en Israël après avoir mystérieusement disparu en Ukraine, a été enlevé par des agents ukrainiens agissant pour le Mossad, les services secrets israéliens, écrit mercredi l’édition en ligne du magazine allemand Der Spiegel.
L’affaire pourrait être liée à celle du soldat franco-israélien Gilad Shalit, détenu depuis 2006 par le Hamas, selon Der Spiegel.
Dirar Abu Seesi, 42 ans, a disparu dans la nuit du 18 au 19 février dans un train reliant Kharkiv (est de l’Ukraine) à Kiev où il devait rencontrer son frère, raconte le magazine en se référant notamment à des "sources au sein de services secrets occidentaux".
Un contrôleur et un autre employé ont affirmé dans un premier temps que deux hommes en civil avaient fait descendre M. Abu Seesi du train vers 01H00 du matin. Ils se sont ensuite rétractés, ce qui laisserait penser qu’ils ont fait l’objet de pressions de la part de responsables ukrainiens, selon Der Spiegel. suite>>
L’affaire pourrait être liée à celle du soldat franco-israélien Gilad Shalit, détenu depuis 2006 par le Hamas, selon Der Spiegel.
Dirar Abu Seesi, 42 ans, a disparu dans la nuit du 18 au 19 février dans un train reliant Kharkiv (est de l’Ukraine) à Kiev où il devait rencontrer son frère, raconte le magazine en se référant notamment à des "sources au sein de services secrets occidentaux".
Un contrôleur et un autre employé ont affirmé dans un premier temps que deux hommes en civil avaient fait descendre M. Abu Seesi du train vers 01H00 du matin. Ils se sont ensuite rétractés, ce qui laisserait penser qu’ils ont fait l’objet de pressions de la part de responsables ukrainiens, selon Der Spiegel. suite>>
Talking to the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt
By David L. Phillips
A secular youth movement may have deposed President Hosni Mubarak, but the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt is positioned to take power in September’s parliamentary elections and assume a leading role in drafting Egypt’s future constitution.
The Obama administration cannot ignore that the Brotherhood is a broad-based popularly supported national movement whose message of human development and social justice transcends generations and resonates across Egyptian society. It should recognize divisions in the Brotherhood, especially the growing role of young members who are more progressive, and engage the Brotherhood in discussions about Egypt’s political future.
The Brotherhood may appear hierarchical, but it is far from monolithic. Divisions are becoming more pronounced between the Guidance Council made up of older ideologues aligned with the Brotherhood’s founder, Hassan Al Banna, and today’s vanguard of young leaders. continued>>
A secular youth movement may have deposed President Hosni Mubarak, but the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt is positioned to take power in September’s parliamentary elections and assume a leading role in drafting Egypt’s future constitution.
The Obama administration cannot ignore that the Brotherhood is a broad-based popularly supported national movement whose message of human development and social justice transcends generations and resonates across Egyptian society. It should recognize divisions in the Brotherhood, especially the growing role of young members who are more progressive, and engage the Brotherhood in discussions about Egypt’s political future.
The Brotherhood may appear hierarchical, but it is far from monolithic. Divisions are becoming more pronounced between the Guidance Council made up of older ideologues aligned with the Brotherhood’s founder, Hassan Al Banna, and today’s vanguard of young leaders. continued>>
Jean-Claude Duvalier quitte l'hôpital
«Oui, il (M. Duvalier) va rentrer chez lui, il va beaucoup mieux», a-t-elle déclaré.
Cependant, un proche de l'ancien dictateur a estimé sous couvert de l'anonymat que celui-ci était toujours souffrant: «Il est très malade, mais je ne saurais vous expliquer (pourquoi). Il rentre, parce qu'à la maison il pourra recevoir la visite de ses proches». more>>
The Syrian time bomb
Concerns Of Rise In Radical Islam In Gaza
The dangerous escalation between Israel and Hamas demonstrates once more the need for both a fresh approach toward Gaza and a better understanding of Hamas’s relationship with rival Islamist groups.
Radical Islam in Gaza, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the impact of Salafi-Jihadi groups in Gaza. Adhering to a more militant brand of Sunni Islam than Hamas, these groups pose both a practical and an ideological threat to the movement. As progress toward normalizing life, engaging the world or achieving a prisoner exchange stalls, the uncompromising outlook of the Salafi-Jihadis becomes more appealing to militants. continued>>
Radical Islam in Gaza, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the impact of Salafi-Jihadi groups in Gaza. Adhering to a more militant brand of Sunni Islam than Hamas, these groups pose both a practical and an ideological threat to the movement. As progress toward normalizing life, engaging the world or achieving a prisoner exchange stalls, the uncompromising outlook of the Salafi-Jihadis becomes more appealing to militants. continued>>
UN chief: Occupation, settlements must end
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the media as he visits the
destroyed U.N. headquarters in Gaza City, January 20, 2009.
[MaanImages/Wissam Nassar]
destroyed U.N. headquarters in Gaza City, January 20, 2009.
[MaanImages/Wissam Nassar]
In an opening address to a UN meeting in support of Middle East peace in Uruguay, the secretary-general called on Israel to ease its blockade of Gaza, halt settlement building, and reduce obstacles to Palestinian development.
“Time is of the essence in realizing the two-state solution,” he said. More>>
Une île au large de Gaza
Israël étudie la construction d’une île artificielle au large de Gaza, équipée d’un port et un aéroport, pour ne plus être responsable des échanges commerciaux de ce territoire et prendre une initiative "ouvrant un horizon politique", a indiqué mercredi un ministre.
"Ce projet vise à une coupure totale avec la bande de Gaza, alors qu’aujourd’hui Israël continue à être responsable des échanges de cette région car nous n’avons pas permis la création d’un port et d’un aéroport", a affirmé le ministre des Transports Yaakov Katz à la radio militaire.
L’aéroport de Gaza, situé près de Rafah, dans le sud du territoire palestinien, inauguré en 1998, est hors d’état de fonctionner après avoir été en grande partie détruit par l’armée israélienne en 2001.
"J’ai cherché une solution qui permette de rompre toute relation avec Gaza tout en conservant notre maîtrise de la sécurité en mer grâce au blocus, qui est critique pour empêcher un trafic d’armes", a ajouté le ministre, à l’origine du projet. suite>>
L’aéroport de Gaza, situé près de Rafah, dans le sud du territoire palestinien, inauguré en 1998, est hors d’état de fonctionner après avoir été en grande partie détruit par l’armée israélienne en 2001.
"J’ai cherché une solution qui permette de rompre toute relation avec Gaza tout en conservant notre maîtrise de la sécurité en mer grâce au blocus, qui est critique pour empêcher un trafic d’armes", a ajouté le ministre, à l’origine du projet. suite>>
My personal memorial to Elizabeth Taylor Burton
Everyone in the world knew her, and through her, they met him. Not only was she the most stunning woman I had ever seen, she was fiercely intelligent, passionate about causes, and used foul language when it was needed. When she met Mike Todd, she converted to Judaism, and died as a Jewess. Was she the ultimate Jewish princess? No, because that description has negative connotations of one being spoiled by riches; and though she loved being lavished with gifts, she gave back - with her time, her support, and the resources her fame could being to her causes.
The entrance on the ground floor; the name of the house has been
changed from Casa Elizabeth to Casa Kimberly
I had been hopelessly in love with both of them for different reasons, obviously: Liz, for her surreal eyes; her portrayal of Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof;" and her amazing beauty and presence on the stage and off. My kind of fantasy with Burton would be to have him read to me. (No, I’m not insane). This man had the most amazing voice and diction of anyone I have ever known. I could even manage to forget about his heavy drinking.
People discovered Puerto Vallarta because of Elizabeth and Richard. The name became almost synonymous with their passionate love affair and two marriages. Had he not died, there probably would have been a third.
A simple kiss on the nose; but theirs was a tempestuous, passionate addiction to
one another, and as hard as they tried to separate, it was useless.
On a trip in 2005 to Puerto Vallarta, we visited the villa which the Burtons bought for themselves on top of a hill, the entrance for which was on a charming, but difficult to navigate, cobblestone street. As this visit was extensive, it will be recounted in several chapters. This is the first.
Zarazoga street is on an incline and best negotiated with flats;
ladies ditch the heels on this visit.
The villa is part museum, part B & B, and the rates are quite reasonable. From the street, you can view the "reconciliation bridge," which was built to connect to another part of the house: this was where Liz used to dispose of Richard when he had had too much to drink, and it would be on the bridge, as legend has it, that they would meet again to make amends.
From the sitting room, dining room, and pool table/Ping-Pong table area, you can soak up magnificent views of Banderas Bay and the city.
There are guided tours to the house; you can also wander
on your own. - Rec room but always with books.
There are pictures of Liz in her famous Cleopatra attire and other movies for which she was famous.
I took this photo from one of the many photo albums that were left at the villa
by Elizabeth. They are filled with newspaper articles as well.
All eight rooms, which are rented out, are named after the movies in which she starred. The color purple is predominant, since it was her favorite.
A lovely purple chaise in many of the sitting nooks which all lead to the outside.
On one of the display tables against the wall were tons of photos, native pottery, and, to my surprise, a menorah.
The menorah sat with other memorabilia that Liz had arranged,
which were mostly her photos in starring roles.
The walls in the open veranda had a generous collection of masks, which I loved, since I am also a collector.
Richard had been on location filming Night of the Iguana at the time they bought the house in Vallarta. Elizabeth had come to Vallarta to either be close to him, or keep an eye on Ava Gardner. The most amazing coincidence took place, when on a visit to the old city, I spotted a 'live' iguana on a tree top.
This is real...and majestic in its ugliness.
to be continued..
Facebook blinks, removes anti-Israel page
Despite its constant stand to promote free speech, Facebook backtracked on an earlier decision to allow an anti-Israel page on the social networking site.
Days after declining to remove the page, which was calling for an uprising against Israel, social Facebook changed its mind and took down the page this week.
A Facebook spokesman told The Jerusalem Post they decided to remove the page after the comments "deteriorated" to direct calls for violence. continued>>
Days after declining to remove the page, which was calling for an uprising against Israel, social Facebook changed its mind and took down the page this week.
A Facebook spokesman told The Jerusalem Post they decided to remove the page after the comments "deteriorated" to direct calls for violence. continued>>
La plume du poète
L'étranger©
(Ecrit le 15 mars 2011)
Ô toi mon ami, l'étranger
Exprime toi sans peur
En toute sérénité.
La pluie nourrit les fleurs
Et l'orage les flétrit.
Les secrets de ta grâce©
(Ecrit le 18 février 2011)
A peine ai-je ouvert mes yeux
Que j' ai vu tes cheveux soyeux
Qui m'ivitaient à te caresser, Toi
L'étrangère qui à côté de moi
Etait allongée dans l'intimité
De ce printemps illuminé
Par ton appartion inattendue
Où la réalité de ta présence nue
Me réchauffait le coeur de ce beau
Soleil qui m'ouvrait aussitôt
Des horizons nouveaux. L'amour
La pomme, la tentation de ce jour
Le goût inoubliable du fruit
Défendu m'attira et me séduit,
Comment pourrai-je oublier
Que tu m'as fait découvrir les secrets
De ta grâce, guidés par la magie
De tes doigts, de tes baisers
Et de tes cheveux noirs dénoués.
Le souvenir de ce moment
Garde les marques du printemps
Et de tes uniques empreintes
Conservées comme des saintes
Reliques dans la chaleur de ma foi.
Elie Mangoubi
Non au racisme : précision, concernant la journée internationale des Nations Unies du 21 mars, contre le racisme: !
par Guy Crequie
- LE RACISME N'A AUCUNE JUSTIFICATION SCIENTIFIQUE :
- LE RACISME EST MORALEMENT CONDAMNABLE
- LE RACISME EST DANGEREUX POUR LA VIE SOCIALE ET L'ACTION POLITIQUE
A PROPOS DE LA PROBLEMATIQUE DE LA OU DES RACES HUMAINES ?
Pour répondre à la question, il faudrait déjà définir correctement le terme de « race humaine ».
En termes de classification des espèces, l'espèce est la dernière classification et il n'existe qu'une seule espèce humaine, l'homo sapiens. Le terme « race » n'a donc pas de sens strictement scientifique.
Le terme « race » ne s'applique normalement qu'aux espèces domestiques, pour faire une différenciation fine, basée sur des critères morphologiques. C'est ainsi qu'on distingue le labrador du berger allemand sur des critères morphologiques. Mais cette distinction est totalement artificielle, due à la sélection forcée par les éleveurs au cours des siècles pour mettre en avant telle ou telle caractéristique morphologique particulière. Des « races » de chats ont ainsi été créées par des croisements judicieux en grand nombre durant le dernier siècle.
De même, on peut distinguer des « races » humaines sur des critères morphologiques. Les USA reconnaissent ainsi tout à fait officiellement le terme de « race » pour définir ethniquement leur population sauf qu'il appartient à chacun de définir lui-même à quelle « race » il se sent appartenir.
Issu d'une mère blanche et d'un père kenyan, Barack OBAMA se définit lui-même comme « afro-américain » mais s'il s'était défini comme « blanc » du fait que sa mère est blanche et de nationalité américaine, ça ne lui aurait pas été contesté d'un point de vue strictement administratif.
Néanmoins, cette classification reste une vue de l'esprit, sur des critères purement morphologiques. On a choisi de mettre en avant la couleur de la peau parce qu' à une époque, elle était représentative d'une répartition spatiale. Mais on aurait pu choisir d'autres critères : la « race » des blonds différente de la « race » des bruns. Une « race » pour les yeux bleus et une autre pour les yeux marron.
Il n'y a aucune différence à définir une « race » sur la couleur de la peau ou sur la couleur des yeux, scientifiquement parlant.
Bref, on peut utiliser le terme « race » pour définir ethniquement une population. Il appartient alors à la sociologie de définir quel découpage est pertinent pour quel but, tout en se rappelant que cela n'a pas d'autres réalités que sociologique.
Extrait de l'essai "Philosophie et autonomie citoyenne de pensée" (quelle relation) - Editions universitaires Européennes (Novembre 2010)
Copyright Guy CREQUIE
Ecrivain et poète français
Messager de la culture de la paix de l'UNESCO
Représentant français d'ONG internationales de paix et d'harmonie
Membre de l'Association internationale des écrivains et artistes
March 29, 2011
Livni: To keep a Jewish majority, we must promote two states for two people
WASHINGTON - 300 rabbis coming to Las Vegas might sound like a beginning of a joke, but the most populous city in Nevada is also home to the fastest growing Jewish community in North America. According to the city of sin's Jewish mayor Oscar Goodman, there are about 100,000 Jews in Las Vegas.
The Conservative movement has a large presence there, so there is little surprise that the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative rabbis kicked off its annual convention in Vegas on Sunday with hundreds of rabbis in attendance, plus Israeli Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Knesset opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
The Conservative movement has a large presence there, so there is little surprise that the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative rabbis kicked off its annual convention in Vegas on Sunday with hundreds of rabbis in attendance, plus Israeli Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Knesset opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld and Tzipi Livni at the meeting.
The rabbis aren't even the only Jewish game in town. Next Sunday, one of the city's many resorts will host the Republican Jewish Coalition winter leadership meeting, with U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who is Jewish, potential presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is not, and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon. continued>>
Dan Rather's crew 'humiliated by Israeli security'
In a letter to Israeli officials, producer says legendary anchorman's crew held up for hours at security checks, strip-searched before interview with Deputy PM Meridor
The allegations, made in a letter to Israeli officials that was obtained by The Associated Press, add to growing complaints about how Israeli security officials treat foreign media.
Andrew Glazer, an Emmy-award winning producer at Dan Rather Reports, wrote that the legendary anchorman came to do a story about improving Israeli-Palestinian relations pitched by Israel's Foreign Ministry.
Glazer said problems mounted after they arrived. He said they were held up for hours at security checks. Israeli soldiers barred the crew's veteran Palestinian cameramen — a Jerusalem resident — from accompanying Rather to a West Bank neighborhood. And then came the strip search before an interview with Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor.
"Mr. Rather said that in his career, he had never seen a crew forced to strip prior to an interview — including the one he conducted with Saddam Hussein," Glazer wrote. more>>
The allegations, made in a letter to Israeli officials that was obtained by The Associated Press, add to growing complaints about how Israeli security officials treat foreign media.
Andrew Glazer, an Emmy-award winning producer at Dan Rather Reports, wrote that the legendary anchorman came to do a story about improving Israeli-Palestinian relations pitched by Israel's Foreign Ministry.
Glazer said problems mounted after they arrived. He said they were held up for hours at security checks. Israeli soldiers barred the crew's veteran Palestinian cameramen — a Jerusalem resident — from accompanying Rather to a West Bank neighborhood. And then came the strip search before an interview with Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor.
"Mr. Rather said that in his career, he had never seen a crew forced to strip prior to an interview — including the one he conducted with Saddam Hussein," Glazer wrote. more>>
Israeli envoy in Cairo for talks
Last week, Israeli Foreign Ministry Senior Deputy Director General Rafi Barak arrived in Egypt. He was the first Israeli official to visit Egypt since the 25 January Revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. more>>
Facebook ne supprimera pas la page “3ème intifada” !
L’affaire fait le tour du monde depuis quelques jours. Des palestiniens inscrits sur facebook ont lancé un appel aux violences anti-israéliennes, promottant la haine et la détestation de l’autre… Facebook, vient d’annoncer qu’il ne supprimera pas cette page.
Le groupe 3è intifada palestinienne, créé il y a un mois sur facebook, et appelant à des soulèvement à partir du 15 mai, compte plus de 350.000 membres. Parmi les objectifs clairement affichés:
- Libérer Jérusalem
- Reprendre la Palestine.
- Libérer Jérusalem
- Reprendre la Palestine.
Les appels aux massacres des juifs y sont nombreux, au moins dans les commentaires.
Dans un communiqué publié à plusieurs médias, Facebook a commenté sur la controverse troisième Intifada palestinienne page.
«Bien que certains types de commentaires et de contenu peuvent être troublant pour quelqu’un – la critique d’une certaine culture, patrie, religion, mode de vie, ou idéologie politique, par exemple – n’est pas une raison suffisante à la suppression d’une page” indique le communiqué.“Nous croyons fermement que les utilisateurs de Facebook ont la capacité d’exprimer leurs opinions, et ne prennent au mot ce qu’ils approuvent sur des pages internet, pour dénoncer un pays, une religion, une entité politique ou des idées.” suite>>
L'après-Kadafhi se prépare à Londres
«Les Libyens ont besoin de nous sur trois points», a énuméré le Premier ministre britannique David Cameron dans une allocution ouvrant la réunion, vers 13h00 GMT (9h00 à Montréal).
«D'abord, nous devons réaffirmer notre engagement à la résolution (1973) de l'ONU et à (notre) alliance élargie... Puis nous devons accélérer l'acheminement de l'aide humanitaire. Troisièmement, nous devons aider la population libyenne à définir son avenir», a-t-il ajouté. suite>>
Mother "offered cash" if Libya woman changes story
LONDON (Reuters) – The mother of a Libyan woman who said she had been raped by pro-government militiamen said she had been asked to convince her daughter to retract the allegations in return for her freedom and cash or a new home.
Eman al-Obaidi burst into a hotel full of foreign journalists in Tripoli on Saturday and told them, weeping, how she had been held for two days and raped by 15 militiamen loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
After being intimidated by security men and hotel staff, who also beat journalists trying to interview her in the restaurant of the hotel, she was bundled into a car and driven away.
Her allegations have not been independently verified. The government said on Sunday Obaidi had been released and she was with her family. more>>
Syrie : révélations accablantes pour Assad. Il opte pour le scénario libyen et prépare un bain de sang
Le régime syrien est en mauvaise passe, à en croire les communiqués hostiles publiés par ses opposants, y compris les kurdes qui se sont jusque-là tenus à l’écart. Plusieurs mouvements politiques kurdes affirment attendre que la mobilisation s’étende sur l’ensemble du territoire pour entrer en scène. Car, ils ne veulent pas donner l’occasion au régime de les accuser d’une quelconque tendance indépendantiste. En attendant, les tribus multiplient les appels à la mobilisation et menacent de prendre les armes pour venger Deraa et Lattaquié, les deux villes les plus endeuillées, avec plus de 130 morts et des centaines de blessés. Les promesses d’une future levée de l’état d’urgence, en vigueur depuis mars 1963, ne convainquent personne. D’autant plus que la loi d’exception ne sera abrogée qu’une fois une autre loi de lutte contre le terrorisme aura été votée !Plusieurs signes laissent présager la fin proche du régime : lire la suite>>
Japan On Maxiumum Alert On Nuclear Crisis
Japan’s prime minister says the country is on “maximum alert” over its nuclear crisis as radiation continues to seep out of the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant and traces of plutonium have been found in the soil.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Tuesday also warned that the situation remains “unpredictable” at the earthquake-damaged plant. He said his government is giving its complete attention to halting the radiation leaks.
Officials announced earlier that dangerous plutonium has been detected in the soil in five locations around the plant, more than two weeks after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled the plant’s cooling systems. continued>>
Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Tuesday also warned that the situation remains “unpredictable” at the earthquake-damaged plant. He said his government is giving its complete attention to halting the radiation leaks.
Officials announced earlier that dangerous plutonium has been detected in the soil in five locations around the plant, more than two weeks after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled the plant’s cooling systems. continued>>
Tunisie : les juifs refusent de quitter le pays, selon un responsable juif
Les juifs de Tunisie refusent de quitter leur pays et se disent mécontents des "encouragements" du gouvernement hébreu pour qu’ils émigrent vers Israël, a déclaré mardi à l’AFP Perez Trabelsi président de la communauté juive de Djerba.
Le gouvernement israélien a débloqué dimanche un budget majorant l’aide aux juifs tunisiens qui souhaiteraient émigrer en Israël.
"Nous sommes avant tout des Tunisiens et nous n’avons aucun problème, nous vivons comme tout le monde et aucun juif ne va quitter le pays", a-t-il ajouté soulignant le "mécontentement de la communauté juive contre les déclarations des responsables israéliens sur leur situation en Tunisie" suite>>
ed: très étonnant?
Le gouvernement israélien a débloqué dimanche un budget majorant l’aide aux juifs tunisiens qui souhaiteraient émigrer en Israël.
"Nous sommes avant tout des Tunisiens et nous n’avons aucun problème, nous vivons comme tout le monde et aucun juif ne va quitter le pays", a-t-il ajouté soulignant le "mécontentement de la communauté juive contre les déclarations des responsables israéliens sur leur situation en Tunisie" suite>>
ed: très étonnant?
Israël "s’étonne" de l’émoi de Tunis pour une poignée d’émigrants juifs
"Nous sommes étonnés par le fait que des émigrants tunisiens se pressent par milliers aux portes de l’Europe et ne suscitent aucun commentaire du ministère tunisien des Affaires étrangères", a affirmé à l’AFP Ygal Palmor, porte-parole du ministère.
"En revanche, ce ministère bondit quand une vingtaine de juifs tunisiens immigrent en Israël", a-t-il ajouté.
La veille, les autorités tunisiennes ont "vivement" dénoncé les encouragements du gouvernement israélien aux juifs de Tunisie à s’installer en Israël, dénonçant une "ingérence" et "une tentative de nuire à l’image de la Tunisie après la révolution et de susciter la suspicion sur sa sécurité, son économie et sa stabilité". suite>>
"En revanche, ce ministère bondit quand une vingtaine de juifs tunisiens immigrent en Israël", a-t-il ajouté.
La veille, les autorités tunisiennes ont "vivement" dénoncé les encouragements du gouvernement israélien aux juifs de Tunisie à s’installer en Israël, dénonçant une "ingérence" et "une tentative de nuire à l’image de la Tunisie après la révolution et de susciter la suspicion sur sa sécurité, son économie et sa stabilité". suite>>
ed: moi, je suis étonnée de l'étonnement de Palmor; les tunisiens qui se dirigent vers les portes de l'Europe ne reçoivent pas $2800, majorée d’une allocation spéciale de $9300 sur les deux premières années.
Israeli tanks accompany bulldozers into Gaza
GAZA CITY ( Ma'an) – Several Israeli military tanks crossed the border into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning near the Kissufim military post north of Khan Younis.
Witnesses northeast of the town of Qarara, close to where the military action was reported, said three tanks and four bulldozers were operating inside the coastal enclave. Gunfire was reported, but no injuries, and onlookers said the bulldozers began leveling agricultural areas around the Kissufim military base. source: maannewsagency
Who is sick enough to censor Amos Oz?
The physicians of Assaf Harofeh Hospital must be really sick if they cancelled an invitation to Amos Oz to give the keynote speech at an awards ceremony, because he sent a copy of his book to a jailed Fatah leader.
By Gideon Levy
Last week, on my way home from Tokyo, I saw an Uzbek or perhaps Kazakh passenger, his fingers adorned with massive gold rings, reading a book in German: "A Tale of Love and Darkness," by Amos Oz. To tell the truth, I was elated and proud. Two years earlier, in the restored library of Alexandria, I saw the same book being borrowed by an Egyptian reader. I was elated and proud then, too. I also spotted Oz's books on shelves in the settlement of Ofra, and even Rabbi Avraham Ravitz (a Knesset member for United Torah Judaism ) told me not long before he died that he was secretly reading Oz.
There's little need to elaborate on Oz's global literary success, the countless translations, copies, awards and prestige his work has brought to both him and Israel. There's no Israeli in the world of whom we could be more proud. But in our own Assaf Harofeh Hospital, this success story comes to a grinding halt. more>>
ed: Amos Oz is one of Israel's treasures; he is the most translated author in the country (45 languages) and has been the recipient of many awards, including the Israel prize. He's been a contender for the Nobel prize in literature.
Last week, on my way home from Tokyo, I saw an Uzbek or perhaps Kazakh passenger, his fingers adorned with massive gold rings, reading a book in German: "A Tale of Love and Darkness," by Amos Oz. To tell the truth, I was elated and proud. Two years earlier, in the restored library of Alexandria, I saw the same book being borrowed by an Egyptian reader. I was elated and proud then, too. I also spotted Oz's books on shelves in the settlement of Ofra, and even Rabbi Avraham Ravitz (a Knesset member for United Torah Judaism ) told me not long before he died that he was secretly reading Oz.
There's little need to elaborate on Oz's global literary success, the countless translations, copies, awards and prestige his work has brought to both him and Israel. There's no Israeli in the world of whom we could be more proud. But in our own Assaf Harofeh Hospital, this success story comes to a grinding halt. more>>
ed: Amos Oz is one of Israel's treasures; he is the most translated author in the country (45 languages) and has been the recipient of many awards, including the Israel prize. He's been a contender for the Nobel prize in literature.
Changes and continuity in Egypt
sent by Elie Mangoubi with this note:
Dear friends,I was asked by the council on foreign Relations to speak about recent events in Egypt and their implications on the peace between Egypt and Israel. Following is the text of my address.
Aimee , David Sultan is an ex ambassador of Israel in Egypt and has published a book
" Between Cairo and Jerusalem The normalization between Arab States and Israel- The Egyptian Case '' published in 2008. He was born in Egypt in 1938 and immigrated to Israel in 1949. We were in class together at the Lycée Franco Egyptien d'Heliopolis. He also served as an ambassador in Canada and Turkey.
" Between Cairo and Jerusalem The normalization between Arab States and Israel- The Egyptian Case '' published in 2008. He was born in Egypt in 1938 and immigrated to Israel in 1949. We were in class together at the Lycée Franco Egyptien d'Heliopolis. He also served as an ambassador in Canada and Turkey.
Dear friends,
Regards,
David SultanChanges and continuity in Egypt
We heard and read comments using the expression: Mubark's regime collapsed".I do not think that this expression describes accurately recent events in Egypt.The regime headed by Mubarak did not collapse, but it rather sacrificed Mubarakin order to ensure it's (sic) survival and continuity. Basically it is the same regime established in 1952 when the Free Officers seized power and removed king Farouk.In its essence it is a regime based on the support of the army and the security forces with no real civil legitimacy.
Over the years, the regime made four attempts to establish a popular basis with a massive civilian participation for gaining support and legitimacy. All four attempts were of very limited success: The liberation Rally in 1952, the National Union in 1958, the Socialist Union in 1961 and the National Liberal Party established by president Sadat, still existing. None of them succeeded in inspiring the masses.
The regime, as it existed until last month, was a rare if not a unique phenomenon:
It existed thanks to the army, but the army was not ruling and not part of the decision making process. A combination of rewards kept the army content with this
arrangement: salaries higher than the average for the officers, upgraded medical services, active and lucrative part in the economy and occasional nominations of senior officers, as individuals, to posts in the administration like governors of provinces and ministers.
The army runs a parallel economy which owns an industry producing consumption goods, tools, machinery, household appliances, clothing etc. Thus one can say that the army and specially the senior officers were beneficiaries of the existing regime.
The change that occurred last month is that the army moved from the rear, from behind the scenes, to the front of the stage, thus discontinuing the façade of the civil regime that prevailed for almost six decades.
I will try to answer briefly two questions:
a – what is due next with regards to Egypt internally and
b – what do all the recent changes mean with regards to the peace between Egypt and Israel.
We all witnessed the show of strength of the demonstrating masses who brought about the resignation of President Mubarak. But beside the show of strength there was also a great deal of weakness. The demonstrators did not represent one united front nor did they have one agenda and one spokesman to speak for them. No one emerged as an undisputed leader of the masses. Opposition parties like the historical Wafd and opposition groups like El Gad (tomorrow) and Kefaya (enough) were among the demonstrators, but years of harassment by the regime left them decimated and not in a position to lead the demonstrations. The Moslem Brethren, relatively popular, were also subject to systematic persecutions and their activists spent more (time) in than out of jail. They were weakened also by internal differences: young generation versus old generation, pragmatists versus more ideologically inclined and above all lack of charismatic leadership.
Some commentators say that the Moslem Brethren are currently keeping a low profile for tactical reasons, but that they are awaiting the right opportunity to seize power.
I disagree. I do not think that they are able or preparing themselves to do that. Beside, I trust that the army will do its best to prevent that. Mubarak himself contributed to the fear that the Moslem Brethren may seize power. He did that in order to convince his friends in the west that its (sic) either him or them, so that they turn a blind eye on issues like human rights violations and stop pressing for political liberalization.
I disagree. I do not think that they are able or preparing themselves to do that. Beside, I trust that the army will do its best to prevent that. Mubarak himself contributed to the fear that the Moslem Brethren may seize power. He did that in order to convince his friends in the west that its (sic) either him or them, so that they turn a blind eye on issues like human rights violations and stop pressing for political liberalization.
Beside the influence of events in Tunisia, two main subjects brought the demonstrators to Tahrir Square: The economic difficulties of the masses and the quest for political freedom
Egypt's economy is booming recording an annual growth of 5 to 8 percent. However, very little of this spectacular growth reached ordinary people due to a number
of reasons: widespread corruption, concentration of the wealth in a thin layer of the population with a special emphasis on the small circle close to the President and his family, senior army officers and senior National Democratic Party officials.
Above all the high birth rate – a million and a half every year – eroded much of the economic growth. As a result about half of the population is living in poverty. Thousands of young graduates, seeing no chance to get a decent salary enabling them to find an apartment and marry, were among the first to arrive to Tahrir Square. Lack of political freedom added to the discontent of the masses. The degree of violent intervention and forgeries by the regime in the elections of 2010 exceeded all previous elections. It was an overdoing by the regime that exacerbated discontent. The demonstrators asked for freedom of expression, free elections, a freer press and abolition of the emergency laws.
of reasons: widespread corruption, concentration of the wealth in a thin layer of the population with a special emphasis on the small circle close to the President and his family, senior army officers and senior National Democratic Party officials.
Above all the high birth rate – a million and a half every year – eroded much of the economic growth. As a result about half of the population is living in poverty. Thousands of young graduates, seeing no chance to get a decent salary enabling them to find an apartment and marry, were among the first to arrive to Tahrir Square. Lack of political freedom added to the discontent of the masses. The degree of violent intervention and forgeries by the regime in the elections of 2010 exceeded all previous elections. It was an overdoing by the regime that exacerbated discontent. The demonstrators asked for freedom of expression, free elections, a freer press and abolition of the emergency laws.
I doubt whether any kind of government in Egypt can meet all the demands and expectations of the demonstrators. In the economic field, even a government functioning in the best possible way, cannot provide full remedy to the situation, for the simple reason that the resources of Egypt are not sufficient for the needs of a population of 84 millions.(sic)
In the political field the Supreme Council of the armed Forces agreed to meet some of the demands of the demonstrators. The Prime Minister was replaced with one sympathetic with (sic) the demonstrators. The constitution has been amended so that the president cannot serve more than 2 terms of four years each, the requirements for qualifying as candidate to the presidency have been eased and the emergency laws have been restricted. A new constitution will be drafted at a later stage.
The army promised the return of civil rule within half a year. I doubt whether that means really free elections for the simple reason that the army would like to maintain its position as the real power of the regime. It may well be that the army will agree to a more meaningful representation of the opposition in the parliament, moving back to the rear and having a façade of a civil regime.
However, maintaining its position as the real power of the regime will be for the army a more difficult challenge than so far because of new elements that didn't exist in the past: The social nets, the freer press, and, as one of the demonstrators put it "now we know the way to Tharir Square".
With regards to the peace between Egypt and Israel, I do not think that there are reasons for concern. The main reason for my lack of concern is that the circumstances behind President Sadat decision to seek peace with Israel in 1977 are today more valid.
The decision of Sadat in 1977 was the result of a gradual realization that Egypt
cannot afford to continue with cycles of wars with Israel. Allocating the resources needed for confrontation left very little for the needs of a growing population in terms of education, health, housing and food supply. For decades no investments had been made in the urban infrastructure. In Cairo the infrastructure started to collapse. At that time the population of Egypt was 39 million. The government had to create every year 400,000 new jobs.
A growing number of people realized that Egypt must, for its own sake, end the cycles of wars with Israel. Among them were prominent intellectuals who expressed their view prior to the decision of Sadat to come to Jerusalem. The famous writer Nagib Mahfouz, a Nobel Prize laureate, was one of them. Another prominent intellectual was Mohamed Sid Ahmed who published, more than a year before Sadat's visit to Jerusalem, a book "After The Guns Fall Silent" in which he described a vision of regional cooperation with Israel.
Today, in 2011 the population of Egypt has reached 84 millions (sic). In this new demographic reality, Egypt has to create about one million new jobs every year. The resources needed for taking care of the basic needs of the population have doubled. In addition, Egypt receives billions of dollars as the result of peace with Israel from various sources: The income from tourism, the American aid, the income from passage through the Suez Canal and the oil and energy industry in Sinai. I can hardly see any Egyptian Government ready to give up these sources of income that are so badly needed.
The military in Egypt is in favor of maintaining peace with Israel understanding what is the price of the alternative and willing to ensure the continuation of the flow of American military assistance. The strong connection of the army with the United States was evident during the days of demonstrations in Tahrir Square.
Last but not least, this peace is not just between Egypt and Israel. There is a third signatory to this peace: the president of the United States of America. If Egypt would like to revoke its peace with Israel it will have to deal with the implications from this angle as well
For all these reasons we may expect that Egypt will not revoke its peace with Israel,as it represents a strategic Egyptian interest. Cold peace may become colder, but it will remain peace. Of course Israel has to be vigilant so as not to be taken by surprise. I mention that because the heart of the Egyptian people is not with this.
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