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MEMRI Daily: November 14, 2012    MEMRI | MEMRI TV | JIHAD AND TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR | SOUTH ASIA STUDIES PROJECT

Egypt's Foreign Policy Under Muhammad Mursi: Trying To Please Everybody Egyptian Salafi Sheikh Murgan Salem Calls To Destroy Pyramids And Tax Christians, Says Bin Laden Greater Than Saladin Inquiry & Analysis No. 899  Egypt's Foreign Policy Under Muhammad Mursi: Trying To Please Everybody By: L. Lavi* Some 100 days after he took office, the foreign policy of Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi is becoming apparent. Mursi seeks to adopt a foreign policy different from that of Mubarak: More independent and not dictated by the U.S.; more vigorous, with the aim of restoring Egypt's leading status in the region; more balanced and open to all world countries without preferring a certain bloc; and peaceful rather than confrontational. In an August 2012 interview with Reuters, Mursi said: "The Egyptian foreign policy will be based on regional and international balance and on openness to all... in an attempt to convey a message of peace and stability... We will never be party to aggression towards anyone, and we will not stand for anyone threatening our safety or the safety of the region for any reason. My words are addressed to all, including all countries of the region... [Our] foreign policy will be based on cooperation and nonintervention in the affairs of others." In practice, this policy is characterized by "walking between the raindrops": Egypt seeks to take a median position in the regional and international balances of power and a regarding the main issues on the regional and global agendas. Mursi is stepping cautiously, attempting to maintain correct relations with all players and leave Egypt room to maneuver, so that it can respond to the shifting currents in the Middle East and the world. It should be said that a tendency to delay decisions and opt for the safer position has been typical of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) since the onset of the revolution. The movement does not rush to take positions on various developments, but rather tests the waters first, and eventually tends to make a decision that enables it to retreat if its interests and the changing circumstances make this necessary. This pattern is evident in four main areas: A. The Syrian crisis and Iranian-Saudi rivalry: It was only at a fairly late stage, when he feared "missing the train," that Mursi came out against the continuing rule of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria, and supported the Arab League resolution calling upon him to cede power to his deputy towards establishing a transitional government with the Syrian opposition. In doing so, Mursi aligned himself with the countries calling for Assad's ouster –including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S. – yet he did not close the door to Iran, which supports the Syrian regime. In fact, Mursi even visited Iran, breaking a freeze in relations that had existed since 1979, and also included it (along with Turkey and Saudi Arabia) in his initiative to stop the bloodshed in Syria, to the chagrin of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. B. The Hamas–Fatah schism: Despite the ideological affinity of Hamas and the MB, Mursi does not appear to favor either side in the inter-Palestinian schism. Egypt has received officials from both the PA and Hamas, and Mursi has met with PA President Mahmoud 'Abbas, as well as with Hamas leaders Khaled Mash'al and Isma'il Haniya. He objects to the establishment of a free trade zone between Egypt and Gaza at this stage, and he rejects Hamas' requests to stop the Egyptian army's demolition of the Gaza tunnels or to loosen restrictions on the passage of Palestinians through the Rafah border crossing. Additionally, there seems to be no truth to reports on the opening of a Hamas office in Cairo. Click here to read the full report. Special Dipsatch No. 5049 Egyptian Salafi Sheikh Murgan Salem Calls To Destroy Pyramids And Tax Christians, Says Bin Laden Greater Than Saladin Following are excerpts from a show featuring Egyptian Salafi sheikh Murgan Salem; the show aired on Dream 2 TV, on November 10 and 13, 2012. Click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV. "Jews, Christians, And Zoroastrians Are Welcome To Live In The Abode Of Islam, As Long As They Pay The Jizya" Murgan Salem: "They must pay the jizya poll tax. They cannot be exempted." TV host Wael Al-Abrashi: "You mean the Christians...?" Murgan Salem: "I'll tell you, just bear with me. Yes, this should be one of the sources of income of the state. The Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians are welcome to live in the Abode of Islam, as long as they pay the jizya poll tax, and abide by the terms set by the Emir of the Believers, who rules the country." Wael Al-Abrashi: "What if they serve in the military?" Murgan Salem: "They don’t need to. We will defend them. We will defend them." [...] Click here to read the full report.