Egypt’s view on Lieberman

Media’s efforts to caution us of new foreign minister won’t affect ties with Egypt

Zvi Mazel|Published: 03.23.09 , 00:35

Israeli media outlets turned Avigdor Lieberman into an unwanted man belonging to the far rightist camp even before the elections, thereby urging others to distance from him. The political establishments and media in Europe, the United States, and Arab states quoted the Israeli messages and were affected by them.

This was a blatant example of the Israeli media’s interference, and the creation of a news item commensurate with its thinking. We should not forget that the people granted Lieberman 15 Knesset seats, and apparently there is a reason for that, even if large parts in the media do not seem to like it. We can assume that Lieberman holds views that are no less intricate than those held by media commentators. In any case, should he become foreign minister, he will have to deal with reality.

After creating the golem, the journalists turned to Egypt and asked how it will receive Lieberman. There were apparently those who suggested not accepting his appointment, yet the Egyptians insisted that they will not interfere in domestic Israeli affairs; Israel will appoint whoever it wishes, and the Egyptians shall work with that person.

Egypt holds on to traditional policy whereby it refrains from interfering with domestic Israeli affairs. It repeatedly said it, yet as result of the impossible media campaign being managed around here we heard voices in Egypt arguing that this is indeed an opportunity to hurt Israel.

Indeed, Lieberman’s declaration that we may bomb Egypt’s Aswan dam was a threat that we could have done without. However, let’s not forget that in one of late President Sadat’s memories written in 1970, before Nasser’s death and while the dam was nearing its completion, Nasser himself said that Egypt can no longer embark on wars, as it will be vulnerable to an attack on a venture that would ruin the whole of Egypt if destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Egyptians themselves threaten Israel on occasion. During one of the recent Egyptian army’s maneuvers, the defense minister said that this was an exercise against a possible enemy from the east. It was clear to everyone which country he was referring to.

Lieberman’s direct remark in respect to the Egyptian president during a Knesset speech, where he told him to go to hell, was certainly misguided and condemned by the media, later drawing an apology for Olmert and Peres. It is clear that heads of states should not be insulted.

Our media exaggerated

However, Egyptian media outlets attack Israel on a daily basis, in a very harsh fashion, including anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incitement. If Egyptian articles would have been published in our newspapers, public opinion would have been shocked. These items appear in government newspapers, in opposition papers, and in Muslim Brothers papers. However, Israel does not respond.

Even parliament members and Egyptian ministers speak out against us, so we should keep things in perspective here too. We let things go out of perspective by attacking our foreign minister-designate, while failing to demand an apology from those who attack us ceaselessly.

Did a foreign minister ever demanded an apology for burning the Israeli flag, or for publishing hateful articles that blamed us for all of Egypt’s disasters? It is clear that our media exaggerated and placed us at an uncomfortable position when it attacked Lieberman even before he was appointed.

The media bears a grudge to Lieberman because this is its job, yet the moment it does so, the Egyptians just like others are taking advantage of it. This is the nature of a cold and limited peace. The moment there’s an opportunity to hurt Israel, it’s being exploited.

However, the appointment will not undermine Israel-Egypt ties and won’t hurt them. There were those who engaged in scaremongering when Ariel Sharon became prime minister, yet it happened to be President Mubarak who declared that Sharon is the only one that can be trusted in respect to the ties between Israel and Arab states.

The future appointment should also be separated from the events marking 30 years to the peace treaty with Egypt. Traditionally, the Egyptians do not take part in the receptions marking the peace agreement, as part of the cold peace approach. Last year too, when the signing of the Camp David Accords was marked, they conducted themselves in the same manner. They also refrain from developing cultural, scientific, and sports ties between the peoples. This policy has nothing to do with the expected appointment of our foreign minister.

Zvi Mazel is a former Israeli ambassador to Egypt and a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs