Will democracy in Egypt benefit the Palestinians?
Best politics would be for the government of Egypt to frame the referendum question to give it the authority to say to Israel something like: “We wish to remain committed to our peace treaty with you, but we will be unable to do so without a commitment from you to end your occupation of all Arab land taken in 1967.”
Unless a majority of Israelis are beyond reason, that could be a game changer which would benefit the region and the whole world, not only the Palestinians.
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Roger Vilalta:
February 14th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
So far, this peaceful period ISrael has been experiencing with both Egypt and Jordan has not only allowed the country not to be excessively worried about its neighbours, but also has allowed its successive governments to continue to establish new settlements on the West Bank while Jordan rulers stop looking west and Egiptian’s stop looking north-east.
So, my guess: I do think democracy in Egypt will benefit the Palestinians, the region and the whole world. But let’s see. It all depends on several factors, but in my opinion it’s crucial that our ‘free media’ should from now on monitor not only all those democratic processes which are likely to come up in the region but also and especially the way how Netanyahu administration is going to tackle in this changing context the Palestinian legitimate demands.
Perhaps I give too much importance to media, which is the main subject of my personal blog (written in catalan, sorry), but I do really think that their permanent focus on this area will allow all these democratic processes to end up satisfactorily and Palestinian matter well enough at least.
Tom Mysiewicz:
February 15th, 2011 at 2:16 am
The way a new democratic Egyptian government could test this premise would be to immediately end the inhuman blockade of Gaza by opening the border to all nonmilitary supplies. Perhaps the gamers who continue this strategy will realize it is a dead end. It’s also possible the Israelis blatantly mistreat the Palestinians and violate peace negotiations with illegal settlements BECAUSE it antagonizes the Arabs. Continuing to deal with Israel–or ignoring its outrages–simply weakens Arab leaders in the eyes of the “Arab street”. Throw in food shortages and brutality and you’ve got the ingredients for fragmentation.
Jeff Warner:
February 15th, 2011 at 6:44 am
RE: Second paragraph. Israel is also a big arms exporter – 4th in world. I bet it sells arms to rich Arab states, just like it sold arms to the Shah’s Iran.
Robert Battersby:
February 15th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
We see what the repressive regimes and their antics along with those of Israel do to oil prices!! The existence of these authoritarian governments is precisely against the political and economic interests of oil dependent western economies.
Zionism with its control of mainstream media has done much to demonise the Arabs and Muslims in particular: A classic bully tactic of Blaming the Victim.
But since the Israeli rampage in Gaza at the end of 2008-9 Gut Zionism I believe has done itself irreversible damage.
As you suggest, Alan; The Referendum on the Peace Treaty with Israel could be worded as such putting the onus on Israel to withdraw from all Arab land taken in 1967. Then the World could see Israel’s leadership for what it truly is.
Vera Gottlieb:
February 15th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
After 30 years of West-approved dictatorship, people should not expect change to come overnight. A lot of patience will be required, but vigilance needs to continue. The West needs to realize that it is up to Egyptians – or other Arabs – which kind of government they want. It is their lives and their decisions. The West needs to start minding it’s own business and stop the hypocrisy of “wanting to help”. Where was the West’s help for the last 30 years? Help was given but not to the opressed masses.
Laurent:
February 15th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
First we have to see whether Egypt will become a democracy. A first in the world because in case you have not noticed it there is no democracy to be found anywhere in the world. Well the world of nations/states. Probably there exists here there a tribe a community that is a democracy, not even sure of that to be frank. Next is: if by now the Palestinians don’t know that their fate is only between their own hands then they are doomed for good. Of course
the evil state of Israel the pariah state of Israel the rogue state of Israel is imploding but this is the result of the steadfastness, the resilience of the People of Palestine. This steadfastness, this resilience has pushed the rogue state of Israel to become a nazi state despised by all with a heart a conscience. My answer is no, unfortunately , no, democracy in Egypt won’t benefit the Palestinians. Because there is no democracy in Egypt. There has been a revolution there but it already looks like it has been already taken away from the people. Time will tell whether the people of Egypt will tolerate it. Only this can be a game changer…
Jax:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Where were you a few weeks ago?
Why now do you talk about the corrupt and repressive Arab regimes when for years all that came out of your mouth was targeting Israel?