'Israel has no choice but to talk to Muslim Brothers'

[bemildred]

Israel must make overtures to Egyptian presidential candidate Mohammed Morsy and his Muslim Brotherhood party if reports are correct that he won the presidential race, Labor MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told The Jerusalem Post Monday night.

Ben-Eliezer, a former defense minister, is a close personal friend of deposed Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. He said he wished Mubarak was still in power but that Israel must face the new reality of the Muslim Brotherhood taking charge.

"We have no choice but to find a way to start a dialogue with the Muslim Brotherhood,” Ben-Eliezer said. “We need to help Morsy understand that it is in Egypt's interest to maintain peace with us no less than Israelis realize that it is in our interest to main peace with them.”

Ben-Eliezer said the protesters who initiated Mubarak's departure with protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square wanted dramatic change that had nothing to do with their country's peace agreement with Israel but the demonstrations resulted in a much worse situation for the Jewish state.

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=274310

[hrmjustin]

1. It will be hard for them but the must try. n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

2. And exactly why do they have to "talk to Muslim Brothers"? Because someone says that they must?

Because someone says that they want peace?

Actions speak louder than words.

[bemildred]

4. As I understand it, Mr Ben-Eliezer seems to think that might prevent war. nt

[AnotherMcIntosh]

8. Good cop, bad cop. The Middle-East conflicts will never end.

[bemildred]

11. Cheer up, no need to have a bad day over it. nt

[AnotherMcIntosh]

17. I never have a bad day over it.

I just recognize the good-cop/bad-cop routine.

[bemildred]

18. That's it, stiff upper lip, stay the course.

So you think Mr. Ben-Eliezer is the good cop?

[LeftishBrit]

21. Because they don't stop existing if you don't talk to them.

Why should you talk to someone who waged war against your country 5 years ago? Why should you talk to an ultra-hawk who is a former terrorist? ... But Begin and Sadat did talk to each other, and thus created peace at least till now.

But I think talks will have to wait until it's clear what the new government in Egypt will be.

[azurnoir]

3. oh Israel has choice and it all depends on Israels end game here, not to mention

who wins in the new elections in Egypt something that IMO will help determine Israels end game along with the Wests (US) reaction

[oberliner]

5. The Muslim Brotherhood candidate won the elections already

Have you not been following the news?

[Mosby]

9. Has it been made official?

Last I heard it was the MB claiming a win.

[oberliner]

15. From MSNBC: Egyptians face a new Egypt under the Muslim Brotherhood

CAIRO, Egypt – It could be the end of Egypt as we know it. Early, still unofficial, but credible results, show that the Muslim Brotherhood has won Egypt’s presidency.

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/18/12279988-egyptians-face-a-new-egypt-under-the-muslim-brotherhood?lite

[Mosby]

24. both sides are now claiming victory

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/06/20126191465269424.html

[bemildred]

25. This could get interesting.

Somebody got cold feet about REALLY handing over power.

[azurnoir]

26. yep saw that on the home page

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014147033

and by 31% too, sounds like the old days

[oberliner]

27. Things could get ugly

Let's hope not, but this does not augur well.

[Mosby]

28. I'm not optimistic

Egypt claims seizure of 101 surface-to-surface missiles amid fears of violence

The Egyptian authorities have seized 101 surface-to-surface missiles in the Beheira governorate, the state TV reported on Tuesday, amid fears of a political deadlock that could trigger an armed confrontation between Islamist groups and a military establishment reluctant to relinquish power.

The state television said Egypt’s Anti-Drug General Administration discovered the missiles, a launching pad, and dozens of hand guns loaded in two cars. The suspects were detained and an investigation has been launched, the television added.

Sameh Rashed, political analyst of Al-Ahram Institute, told Al Arabiya that security forces occasionally seize arms shipments smuggled from Libya or other countries and destined to the Gaza Strip or Sinai.

He played down any connection between the seizure of the weapons and a broiling political crisis that threatens to plunge the country into turmoil.

Recent moves by the ruling military council to dissolve the Islamist-dominated parliament and issue a constitutional document which hands it sweeping powers have raised fears of violence.

Even the Pentagon, the traditional ally of the generals in Egypt, expressed “deep concern” about the military’s plan to stay in power.

“We’re deeply concerned about new amendments to the constitution declaration, including the timing of their announcements as polls were closing for the presidential election,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said on Monday.

On Sunday, several Algerian Islamist leaders warned Egypt could plunge into an “Algeria like scenario” of bloody violence after the ruling military council executed a court order to dissolve the country’s elected parliament.

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/19/221582.html

[azurnoir]

14. no I have not been following Egyptian news today here is an article from a couple of hours ago

http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Egyptian+elections/G4027

been busy with other stuff thanks for the correction I'm sure it was satisfying for you

however my point still stands Israel does not have to do anything

[Mosby]

6. For Israel and the West I think the end game is regional stability

and respect for the camp david accords.

If the MB can deliver on that then they can do whatever they want internally.

Should be interesting to see what powers are given to the new president and what the leg. will look like with clean elections.

[bemildred]

10. Yep.

Seems very much up in the air still.

You can spend a lot of time figuring out what, exactly, "regional stability" means though, because it really means various parties having the warm puppy feeling, and nothing less.

[Mosby]

12. For me it means no shit stirring and funding terrorist groups like Hamas.

But you're right, it can mean a lot of different things.

[bemildred]

13. Shit-stirring is what most governments DO.

Not that I don't agree, but I'm skeptical that anybody is grown up enough for that sort of self-restraint.

[azurnoir]

16. Isn't MB generally considered a terrorist group ? co-horts of Hamas? or not anymore?

[bemildred]

23. It depends on who you talk to.

They were outlawed under Mubarak, they are a legit party now, I doubt they are on the US' offical lists anymore if they ever were. Israel or other countries I don't know. I doubt the Saudis care for them much.

[tabatha]

7. Maybe there is a chance for peace, if dialog is required by the new situation in Egypt.

[aranthus]

19. Obviously.

They are the government. Israel should try to maintain the best relations possible with Egypt no matter what the government.

[bemildred]

20. +1

Sensible would be nice, things are difficult enough already.

[LeftishBrit]

22. Exactly.