Ben-Elizer with Hosni Mubarak
Egyptian media marks Benjamin Ben-Eliezer's passing
Egyptian newspapers cover the passing of Benjamin Faud Ben-Eliezer, focusing mainly on his relationship with Hosni Mubarak and his role in Israel's wars; Egyptian journalist: 'Release Mubarak and let him bury his beloved friend.'
The passing of former Minister Benjamin "Fuad" Ben-Eliezer on Sunday at the age of 80, one of Israel's most prominent and respected politicians for the past 30 years who held various positions such as defense minister and deputy prime minister, has drawn headlines across the Arab world.
The headlines have focused mainly on his roles in various wars which took place place since Israel’s founding, in addition to his diplomatic positions since his entry into political life, particularly in Egypt and the Middle East.
Ben-Eliezer and Hosni Mubarak (Photo: AFP)
The Egyptian newspaper, El Youm El Sabaa, for example reported in its headlines, “Former Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, a friend of Mubarak, dies at age 80.”
Headline in Egyptian newspaper 'El Youm El Sabaa'
Al-Masry Al-Youm, another Egyptian media outlet focused on a different aspect of Ben Eliezer’s life, leading with “He was denied the Israeli presidency.” The headline was in reference to his 2014 Labor party candidacy for President and resignation from politics following a police investigation. At the time, Eliezer said that "it seems someone tried to politically assassinate me."
Headline in Al-Masry Al-Youm
The website El Tahrir reminded readers of his closeness to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his alleged involvement in the killing of prisoners during the 1967 Six Day War.
Social media networks also saw a range of responses to his passing. Wael Qandil, an Egyptian columnist living in London and a writer for al-Araby al-Jadeed who opposes the current Egyptian regime under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi wrote cynically: “Release Mubarak so he can bury his beloved friend. A Zionist defense minister, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer is dead (Mubarak is being held in a military hospital.
Al-Safir
Lebanese media outlets also covered Ben-Eliezer’s death. Al-Safir, a Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper contained the headline: “Benjamin Ben-Eliezer dies, one of the architects of the invasion of Lebanon.” It pointed out his extensive military experience emphasizing his role during the First Lebanon War in 1982.
