An Evening at the Egyptian Embassy

I was one of about 75 people, mostly Jews, who gathered outside the Egyptian Embassy in San Francisco on Monday evening, December 2nd, to protest the airing of Horseman Without a Horse on state-run Egyptian Television. The series is based on the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a czarist forgery alleging a Jewish plot to take over the world. However Muhammed Sobhi, the star and producer of the series has presented it as an “historical drama” and denies that it promotes anti-Semitism.

Despite the fact that the U.S. State Department contacted Egyptian officials to object to the series and 45 members of Congress wrote a letter to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak urging him to stop the broadcast, they went ahead and by all accounts, it’s been a ratings blockbuster. The 41-part series was timed to coincide with Ramadan, when the largest numbers of viewers would be home to watch it.

The airing of this series was a provocative and destructive move, at a time when tensions in the Middle East are at an all time high. Brainwashing their populations into hating Jews is typical for Arab governments, who use Israel as a scapegoat to distract their beleaguered people from their own government’s failings. As for Egypt, what do you expect from a country whose hit parade last year included the ever-popular song “I Hate Israel?”

The protest at the Egyptian Embassy was sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council, American Jewish Committee, and the Board of Rabbis of Northern California. The speakers included a rabbi, a priest and a Jewish woman from Libya who had been expelled from her country, along with all the other Jews. She gave the strongest speech, maybe because of her own up close and personal experiences with anti-Semitism.

The announcement for the protest included suggestions for signs such as “Egypt Stop The Hate,” “Peace and Hate Don't Mix,” and “Anti-Semitism Kills Peace.” These lukewarm expressions were hardly what I and my companion had in mind. We opted for something simple and straight to the point: “Egypt Hates Jews.”

The protest consisted of the usual liberal Jewish crowd that frequents these types of events in the Bay Area, including the Tikkun peaceniks who unfurled their own large banner, which said something vague about “community.” We declined their flyer handouts. Being familiar with Michael Lerner and his pro-Palestinian outfit, I already knew that they have nothing to say which would interest me.

The organizers of the event tried to blend the celebration of Hannukah with the political protest, which made for a rather surreal experience. Candles were lit and songs of peace were sung, which was all well and good, but seemed to have little to do with the purpose at hand.

The inhabitants of the Embassy cowered inside while our little protest went on, although they need hardly have worried, considering the placidity of the crowd. The worst we could muster was to lay a Jewish guilt-trip on them by yelling “shame” and “shame on you” repeatedly. I had in mind a chant of, “We Hate You Back,” but perhaps that would have been too much?

We had some good political conversations when we were joined by others who were also unsatisfied with the tone of the protest. These discussions were definitely the highlight of the evening.

Although the protest was not as militant as I would have liked, I am grateful to all who attended for speaking up. Despite our political differences, all of us were there to denounce this despicable case of state-sponsored bigotry. Propaganda like this led to the persecution of Russian Jews and later, the Nazis used the same forgery, as well as their own creations, to justify the mass murder of Jews. We must not make the mistake we did in the past of underestimating the power of propaganda to fuel hatred. As they say, “Never Again!“

We had some good political conversations when we were joined by others who were also unsatisfied with the tone of the protest.

That's you, fellow FReepers!

sfwarrior

nastypumps

AmericanPreservative

...and friends!

These discussions were definitely the highlight of the evening

You got that right!

I was disappointed at the Freeps. I had posted an announcemnent of the protest some 2 weeks before the event. I would have hoped that Freepers would have pinged their friend in freedom and made a showing. After all, I was under the impression that political activism of this type was the heart and soul of Freeperville. But I guess I was wrong 4 Freeps showed up. Pathetic...

True, but I'm grateful for those who did show up. The Bay Area FReeper contingent, from what I've been able to tell, doesn't seem to be all that big, or is it? In any case, a few diehards like ourselves can usually be relied upon to show up!

Hey there. : ) Yes, Grasshopper, you have learned "the lesson." You have come to learn that even though people have been pinged, few FReepers will show up for street-FReeps. Of course there are VALID reasons, even though it does feel disappointing that there is not a larger supporting turnout. But, now that you know that, you can overcome the disappointment, and know that if YOU feel strongly enough to be out there that is the best YOU can do. And know, that one person can make a difference. (And, BTW, sfwarrior, like where were YOU for that big 'ol demo on Oct.26? : ).....See? Not everyone can go to every FReep. : )) So, be grateful for yourself for being out there when you are and for the FRiends who do show....and, remember there will always be other FReep-ortunities. : )
Like...did you the sfgate article about Rainbow Grocery?......

Great post STL. : )

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.