Despite dominating the world media for many years, many aspects of the Israel/Palestine conflict remain hidden from view. Quite often, contemporary events are not placed in context. No background is given, no explanation is outlined. Large chunks of the history of the conflict are ignored or cast aside as irrelevant. As is the case in reporting of many events across the world, what is left out is nearly always as interesting as what is left in.
Take the rise of Hamas, for example. Hamas is frequently referred to as a terrorist organisation that has a destabilising influence across the Middle East. Western critics often refer to the organisation as an impediment to peace rather than an aid. However, the history of Hamas is clouded in mystery and obscured from any discussion relating to progress in the region. It is, of course, obscured for very good reason - it underlines the duplicity of Western foreign policy within the region. A duplicity that goes some way to explaining why the conflict is so complex and remains some distance from resolution.
Arab nationalism was seen as a threat to Western hegemony throughout the region in the 1950s and 60s. Suddenly Arab leaders were gaining confidence and seeking to reclaim their resources. Underpinned with a nationalist, secular ideology, these leaders declared their refusal to bow to Western demands. The rise of Gamal Abdal Nasser in Egypt and the nationalisation of the Suez Canal, gave many Arabs hope that they were about to witness a new era of dignity and freedom. This, of course, scared the West. A populist movement that sought to reclaim its natural resources? They could see that the emergence of Arab nationalism would have a massive impact on oil supplies and thus a situation could emerge whereby the Arab nationalists would hold all the cards, rather than the West. Alongside his nationalist agenda, Nasser also played an important role in the establishment of the PLO, a secular organisation reflecting Nasser’s own particular brand of Arab nationalism. If the PLO were to be successful in negotiating a deal with the Israelis, it would have been a massive victory for Arab nationalism and would have represented a serious threat to Western hegemony. Being the Palestinians sole representative on the world stage, it also united the Palestinian people, at least until the establishment of Hamas in 1987.
However, Nasser was not without his enemies within his own country. Despite initially supporting Nasser’s coup, The Muslim Brotherhood became disillusioned with Nasser’s secularist brand of politics and, in 1954, an attempt was made on his life. After the failed assassination attempt, the Islamists who were not rounded up and arrested subsequently left to settle in Saudi Arabia where they were welcomed as an important bulwark to the rise of ‘godless Communism’. The Saudi regime was particularly disturbed by the rise of Nasser as it threatened their fundamentalist form of government and consequently threatened their influence in the region. If an alternative form of government were to gain momentum, the Saudi regime would surely fall. Consequently, during this period, the Saudi government (alongside its ally the US) continued to provide financial backing to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood continued to agitate in Egypt and engaged in ‘radical activity’ led by one Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Under Yassin’s leadership, longtime Muslim Brotherhood activists were simply redirected from promoting Islamic observance to engaging in violent anti-Israel activities. Yassin had, by this stage, established his violent anti-Israeli credentials and was clearly pursuing a more radical Islamic course compared to the more secular PLO. However, this did not prevent the Western powers from pursuing a course of engagement with Yassin and his colleagues in the Brotherhood.
During the 1980s, Yassin focused on developing a ‘charitable organisation’ within Gaza that developed a network of social-welfare organizations, mosques, and schools. It was also at this time that the US and Israel provided financial support to Yassin and his organisation, despite Yassin’s previous anti-Israeli agitation in Egypt. Ostensibly, his organisation was supported as a counter-balance to the PLO and its secular Arab nationalism, which was seen as a massive threat to Western hegemony in the region (due to the loss of control of natural resources). According to Tony Cordesman, Middle East analyst for the Center for Strategic Studies, Israel:
"...aided Hamas directly -- the Israelis wanted to use it as a counterbalance to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization)."
A resurgence of Arab nationalism in the region was of deep concern to the United States and the growth of a radical Islamic organisation would be a useful counter-weight to the rise of nationalist secularism. This was further demonstrated by the support of radical Islamists in Afghanistan (including Osama Bin Laden) during the conflict with the Soviet Union. With a radical alternative to Arab nationalism, the Arab people would remain divided and consequently allow the US to maintain influence in the region. As one former CIA official put it, Israel's support for Hamas :
"...was a direct attempt to divide and dilute support for a strong, secular PLO by using a competing religious alternative."
Furthermore, according to US officials:
....funds for the movement came from the oil-producing states and directly and indirectly from Israel. The PLO was secular and leftist and promoted Palestinian nationalism. Hamas wanted to set up a transnational state under the rule of Islam, much like Khomeini's Iran.
Consequently, whether it was intentioned or not, it would appear that the growth of Hamas as a power bloc within the region was directly attributable to the United State and her allies. Concerned by the growth of Arab nationalism and the problems that would cause for the West in the region, the US threw in its lot with radical Islamists who would prove to be a useful barrier to the rise of Soviet supported, secular regimes within the region. Despite the background of Yassin in Egypt, both Israel and the US had no problem with supplying funds and offering their support to Yassin’s ‘charitable organisation’. Thus the combination of Israel and the US managed to ensure that the Palestinian people were divided between a secular organisation prepared to do business with Israel (the PLO recognised Israel in 1993 as part of the Declaration of Principles), and a radical Islamic organisation that took a less compromising position regarding peace in the region. And yet, the covert support by the US government for radical Islamic groups over the years has remained firmly outside of the scope of the mainstream media’s assessment of the situation in the Middle East. Yet how can we understand the situation in the Middle East if we do not understand how it was created? The rise of Islamic fundamentalism is tied to the West’s attempts to assert hegemony throughout the region and ensure it remains the dominant force on the global stage. Ironic that the forces they utilised to ensure their dominance are now the very forces that threaten to demolish it.
Monday, June 02, 2008
The Role of The West in the Establishment of Hamas
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Value of a Good Dictator
Amnesty International have released a report that his highly critical of Egypt's record of torture and illegal detention. The report follows a particularly horrific attack on a taxi driver at a police station in Giza. Below is an extract from the introduction of the report:
A shocking video showing Egyptian police raping a male prisoner was posted on the Internet by an Egyptian blogger in November 2006. The victim was Emad Mohamed Ali Mohamed, known as Emad al-Kabir, a 21-year-old taxi driver. He had been arrested the previous January after trying to stop an argument between police officers and his cousin. He was accused of “resisting the authorities” and presented before the Public Prosecutor, who ordered his release on bail. However, police took him back to Bulaq Dakrur Police Station in Giza governorate and the next day – 20 January 2006 – they tortured him.
Emad al-Kabir said officers tied his hands and feet and forced him to sit on the floor. They whipped him and ordered him to call himself degrading names. They then removed his trousers and raped him with a stick, recording the torture on a mobile phone. An officer told him the video would be circulated in Emad al-Kabir’s neighbourhood (which it was) in order to publicly humiliate him and intimidate others.
Emad al-Kabir was subsequently sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for “resisting the authorities” and “assaulting a police officer”. After the video came to light, two officers from Bulaq Dakrur Police Station were charged with the unlawful detention, torture and rape of Emad al-Kabir; their trial began on 3 March 2007.
What happened to Emad al-Kabir was by no means an isolated incident. Torture and other ill-treatment are systematic in detention centres across Egypt, including in police stations, premises run by the State Security Investigations (SSI) services, and military camps.[1] This should come as no surprise – the systematic nature of torture in Egypt has been highlighted by Amnesty International, the UN Committee against Torture and others for many years.[2] What was unusual about Emad al-Kabir’s case was that the authorities took action against the alleged torturers.
..........
Around 18,000 administrative detainees – people held without charge or trial under orders issued by the Interior Ministry – are languishing in Egypt’s jails in degrading and inhumane conditions.[3] Some have been held for more than a decade, including many whose release has been repeatedly ordered by courts.
This torture has been supported by the American government who, according to Egypt's prime minister, had transferred some 60-70 detainees to Egypt as part of the "war on terror". There is no doubt about what the outcome was for those that were transferred to Egypt.
Egypt has remained a vital ally for the US since September 11th. While the American government has focused on the many human rights abuses in Iran, it turns a blind eye to those in Egypt. And yet, strangely, both are confirmed enemies of al-Qaeda. Furthermore, whereas the US has been quick to condemn the move towards nuclear power in Iran, it is keen to help Egypt develop their own nuclear program. And that's not to mention the $50 billion in US largesse from 1975-2004. And yet the difference is obvious. Egypt is willing to be an advocate for American policy in the region, a necessary voice in times of increasing criticism in the Middle East. In return, it gets the aid it needs to stabilise the economy and head off the criticisms of the more radical elements in Egyptian society.
It is unlikely that the US government will put any serious pressure on Egypt to face up to its human rights abuses. As long as Egypt continues to fight America's corner, the torture will continue. The American government has shown its willingness to disregard international law, it hardly seems believable that they would pressure their allies to respect human rights and the rule of law. At least, not when they have a good dictator on their side.
Further Reading: Egypt – Systematic abuses in the name of security - The full Amnesty International report.
Monday, February 26, 2007
US Backing For Dictator's Nuclear Ambitions
While the US continues to lambast Iran for it's nuclear power aspirations, it has been less critical of Egypt's intentions to develop nuclear energy. In fact, it is eager to develop a partnership with the regime in Egypt. According to Haaretz:
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Robert Joseph last month visited Cairo and told media that the U.S. is interested in taking part in the Egyptian nuclear program. He said the U.S. had consulted with Egypt about working together on nuclear energy projects.
Once you stop laughing at the Secretary's title (Arms Control??!!), compare and contrast this with the US attitude to Iran (also a signatory to the NPT). So, whilst the US continues to attack an Iranian leader that has been held accountable in elections in Iran (elections where he received a massive defeat), it seeks to work with a dictator on developing 'nuclear energy projects'. Has the US learnt nothing from it's association with dictators?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Blogger Jailed
Egyptian blogger, Abdel Kareem Soliman, has been sentenced to four years in prison for
According to the BBC, he had criticised the al-Azhar university and called President Mubarak a 'dictator'. He also described al-Azahr as 'the university of terrorism'. This just another example of the increasing attempts to curb the freedoms many of us take for granted on the internet. If you want to protect the freedoms we all enjoy, visit irrepressible.org and add your signature. Why not add an irrepressible.org widget to your website as well (see sidebar). The following is a press release by Amnesty International in response to this sentence.
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
22 February 2007
Egypt: Karim Amer sentence makes bloggers new target of the authorities
Amnesty International condemns the four-year sentence handed down by an Egyptian court today against blogger Karim Amer, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
"This sentence is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression in Egypt," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Deputy Programme Director. "The Egyptian authorities must protect the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, even if the views expressed might be perceived by some as offensive. Amnesty International considers Karim Amer to be a prisoner of conscience who is being prosecuted on account of the peaceful expression of his views."
"The Egyptian authorities must repeal legislation that, in violation of international standards, stipulates prison sentences for acts which constitute nothing more than the peaceful exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion."
Karim Amer is the first Egyptian blogger to be tried for writing blogs criticizing Egypt's al-Azhar religious authorities, President Husni Mubarak and Islam. Charges against him included "spreading information disruptive of public order and damaging to the country’s reputation", "incitement to hate Islam" and "defaming the President of the Republic".
AI Index: MDE 12/006/2007
Further information :
Egyptian blogger faces 10-year prison sentence
Privacy policy http://web.amnesty.org/pages/aboutai-privacy-eng
Thursday, February 01, 2007
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
1 February 2007
Egypt: Trial of blogger expands realm of repression
Amnesty International today called for the immediate and unconditional release of Karim Amer, the first Egyptian blogger to be tried for writing blogs criticizing Egypt's al-Azhar religious authorities, President Husni Mubarak and Islam.
Karim Amer, a former al-Azhar University student and blogger, is facing up to 10 years in prison for his writings in a trial that resumes today. Charges against him include “spreading information disruptive of public order and damaging to the country’s reputation”, “incitement to hate Islam” and “defaming the President of the Republic”.
"Karim Amer's trial appears intended as a warning by the authorities to other bloggers who dare criticize the government or use their blogs to spread information considered harmful to Egypt’s reputation," said Malcolm Smart, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme. "This is particularly worrying as bloggers have increasingly been posting information about human rights abuses in Egypt, including torture and police violence against peaceful protesters."
The trial opened on 18 January 2007 before Maharram Bek Court in Alexandria. Karim Amer was charged under Articles 102, 176 and 179 of Egypt’s Penal Code. Amnesty International has been urging the Egyptian authorities to review or abolish this and other legislation that, in violation of international standards, stipulates prison sentences for the mere exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion.
"Amnesty International considers Karim Amer to be a prisoner of conscience who is being prosecuted on account of the peaceful expression of his views about Islam and the al-Azhar religious authorities. We are calling for his immediate and unconditional release."
Background
Karim Amer was first detained by the Egyptian authorities for 12 days in October 2005 because of his writings on his blog (karam903.blogspot.com) about Islam and the sectarian riots which took place in the same month in Alexandria's Maharram Bek district. These riots followed reports that the video of a play believed to be anti-Islam was being screened in a Coptic church in the district.
After he was charged and released, disciplinary measures were taken against him and he was dismissed from al-Azhar University in March 2006. The university's disciplinary board found him guilty of blaspheming Islam.
He was summoned to appear before the office of the Public Prosecutor in Maharram Bek district of the city of Alexandria on 7 November 2006 following a complaint made against him by al-Azhar University. The Public Prosecutor ordered his detention for four days on 7 November, which was later extended for a further 15 days, to allow further time for investigation. He has remained in detention since then following a series of extensions. While in detention, he was kept in solitary confinement and in incommunicado detention and was only allowed visits by his relatives last week.
AI Index: MDE 12/004/2007
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