“Radicalizing” the Muslim Brotherhood
- For many people in the Arab world, “democracy” is good and people should vote only because voting can bring the undemocratic Muslim Brotherhood to power. But if voting does not bring the desired outcome — a Muslim state wedded to Sharia law — then back to the revolution and the caliphate.
Following another night of violence in Cairo during which 72 people were killed,The New York Times accused the military led government of Abdul Fattah al Sisi of “radicalizing” the Muslim Brotherhood. “For all its stated commitment to democracy and nonviolence, the Brotherhood’s only reliable partners now are other Islamist groups whose members may be more willing to use violent or radical tactics — partners that would tar the Brotherhood’s identity as a more pragmatic movement with a broader base.” (Read more…)
Kerry prejudges the outcome again
Ted Belman. What is the role of his “facilitators” like Indyk? Do they have any power? Can they dictate? Are they mediators, or G-d forbid, arbitrators? How can Kerry interfere in negotiations this way. What happens if Israel insists on 100%? That 15% is Ariel and probably Maaleh Adumin. But there is confusion here. 80% of the Israeli settlers are within 5 miles of the greenline. Kerry is suggesting that these settlers will remain in Israel and the rest (120,000) won’t.
US officials estimate that Israel will lose about 15 percent of “major settlement blocs” in Judea and Samaria in any final status deal worked out with the Palestinian Authority.
Sources in Washington reported that Secretary of State John Kerry said in discussions with members of the House of Representatives described as “mostly pro-Israel” that Israel’s interested are being safeguarded, according to an article published in the Hebrew-language daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot.
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Obama using the UN to bully Israel
by Anne Bayefsky, Breitbart.com.
The UN made me do it. That’s how Obama officials are explaining Secretary Kerry’s intense efforts to move Israel onto the front burner, and shove over the bloody turmoil immediately affecting millions of Israel’s neighbors and the imminent catastrophe of an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Speaking to reporters on July 30, 2013, senior officials said the administration was seeking “to avoid a train wreck” at the United Nations. “Throughout the course of this year Palestinians have been making clear that if they couldn’t see progress on the peace front, their intention would be to seek other elevations of their status…at the UN.” “A new dynamic vis-à-vis the United Nations,” was driving the immediacy for renewed talks.
The comments mirror Secretary Kerry’s remarks in June: “the Palestinians have said that they will go to the UN and seek to join more UN organizations…And the Palestinians have also threatened to take their case to the International Criminal Court.” (Read more…)
Ted Belman
Jerusalem, Israel
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