Morsi’s anti-Israeli remarks spark controversy in Egypt

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s anti-Israeli remarks in which he warned it to put an end to what he called a “travesty,” or risk facing Egyptians’ anger, have sparked a controversy among Egypt’s politicians. Some see the remarks as waving the war card, others believe it to be a radical shift in Egypt’s foreign policy. Senior member of the Muslims Brotherhood and member of the dissolved parliament, Abulfuttouh, said that Morsi’s warning of “the wrath of Egyptians” does not constitute a threat of war. He added, however, that even if it does “it comes following demands by revolting Egyptians,” referring to marches that have taken place, “expressing anger and demanding allowing Jihad and opening the Rafah border crossing.” Abulfuttouh said he forecasted a lessening of violence from the Israeli camp, keeping in mind the calls for calm put forward by both Morsi and Obama. Member of the dissolved parliament Marguerite Azer told Arabstoday that Morsi’s threatening remarks towards Israel amount to “direct threats of war,” demanding caution in approaching the situation so as not to increase its volatility. “We are still in transition,” she said, “our decisions must be very cautious.” President Morsi’s political advisor Mohammed Seiful Dawla told Arabstoday that “the Israeli aggression against Gaza is a strike against Egypt first and against the Gaza Strip second.” Saiful Dawla sees the Israeli attacks as sending the signal meaning “the Israeli hands, tied these past months by the Egyptian revolution, will be tied no longer.” The adviser also demanded that Morsi withdraw the Egyptian ambassador in Israel and expel Israel’s ambassador in Cairo. “This aggression aims at damaging the Egyptian revolution and the president’s popularity,” Saifuldawla said, adding “is Israel was able to physically assassinate Ahmed al-Jabari, it also wished to morally assassinate the Egyptian President. For its part, the Beni Suef Orthodox parish has demanded President Mohammed Morsi not to be carried away by the demands of extremist strands who want war with Israel. In a statement to the press by parish spokesperson Bishop Bakhoum Attia of St George’s church in Beni Suef’s al-Rammah, he said that these things must be resolved diplomatically through the UN Security Council and by putting pressure on Israel through the United States. The bishop added that entering a war now is a risk for Egypt, especially in the current economic climate and the recurrent crises involving fuel. Urging forbearance, Attia said that a war between Egypt and Israel would cause the whole region to ignite. A number of foreign policy experts had warned President Morsi against making a rash statement against Israel, urging patience and considering all angles and dimensions so as not to cost Egypt the price of damage to the peace treaties signed by Egypt and Israel.