'Unfair' US politicises an angry Egypt

The Times (U.K.) ^ | 06/26/2002 | Justin Marozzi

[Pokey78]

STANDING over a steaming cauldron of beans, Mohammed Yasin expressed the anger typical of many Egyptians towards President Bush’s statement on the Middle East.

“Sharon is the one with blood on his hands,” he said. “He is a man of war and a war criminal. The Palestinians are the ones who are suffering. They voted for Arafat. Bush can’t just demand they kick him out now and choose someone else. How can this be fair?” In a nearby café the talk among the all-male clientele was all of Bush, Arafat and Sharon. “It’s easy for Bush and Sharon to control this issue together,” Khalaf Hafez, a trader, said. “Arab governments just talk about Palestine, they don’t do anything. The only solution is to give the Palestinians their state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Although Egypt is one of only two Arab states to have made peace with Israel, the Egyptian public has been seething at the Israeli incursions into Palestinian territories this year. Hani Shukrallah, the managing editor of Al Ahram Weekly, an English-language newspaper, said: “This has politicised Egyptians in a way I haven’t seen for ages. The perception is that we’re constantly being slapped in the face.” Cairo’s acquiescence in what is widely considered an unjust US policy has started to shift public opinion against the regime, with many drawing parallels between the way the US treats the Arab world and how Arab governments behave towards their citizens.

The idea that Mr Arafat should quit aroused fierce debate in the café. “It would be more dignified for him to give up authority,” Gaber Hamid, a fish vendor, said. “He’s had power for more than 40 years and what has he done?” But Salah el-Sidi demurred. “The Americans are talking about getting rid of Arafat, who was elected by the Palestinians. Well then, the Israelis should get rid of Sharon.”

[SunStar]

The perception is that we’re constantly being slapped in the face...

The perception in Israel is that they are constantly having their faces blown off...

[DoughtyOne]

[HassanBenSobar]

And now, the world's smallest violin: can you hear it? Oh those poor Egyptians, all upset by the US again, now they're becoming 'politicized'. We're such evil unfair b******s for giving Egypt billions of dollars in aid per year. Yep, Uncle Satan, that's us. So snivel, gripe, whine, and b**** all you want. Next time you fight Israel, there won't be any calls for Israeli restraint like there were in 67--you can kiss the Sinai goodbye and then some.

[Pokey78]

And now, the world's smallest violin: can you hear it?

Yep.

[Taiwan Bocks]

Thanks for the post!

Moderate Egypt.
Moderate Saudi Arabia.

Moderate equals less rabid?