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Revolutionary Middle East Change
Revolutionary Middle East Change - by Stephen Lendman
Democratic Middle East birth pangs may have legs enough to spread regionally, including in Occupied Palestine.
Officially launched in Cairo in 1959, the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) offers hope, driven by a commitment for Palestinian liberation. With more than 100 chapters and over 100,000 members, it's organized rallies, political debates, cultural programs, and other initiatives to spread truths about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Perhaps inspired by events across the region, on January 27, its press release headlined, "Palestinian students claim right to participate in shaping our destiny," saying:
"....(I)n order to reassert our inalienable rights, (we) claim our right to democratically participate in the shaping of our destiny. We begin a national initiative to campaign for direct elections to the Palestinian National Council (the PLO's legislative body) on the clear understanding that only a reformed national representative institution, that includes all Palestinians, those struggling in the homeland and those struggling in exile, can create a representative Palestinian platform, and restore the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people."
If popular uprisings offer democratic hope in Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Egypt, why not Palestine freed from occupation!
Currently, Egypt is the epicenter of regional change, and since the 1978 Camp David Accords, the linchpin of US Middle East imperial policy. However, under Mubarak's brutal dictatorship, perhaps its day of reckoning has arrived, Robert Fisk saying:
What's wrong is visible and clear. "The filth and the slums, the open sewers and the corruption of every government official, the bulging prisons, the laughable elections, the whole vast, sclerotic edifice of power has at last brought Egyptians on to the streets....This is not an Islamic uprising - though it could become one - (it) is just one mass of Egyptians stifled by decades of failure and humiliation."
Even New York Times writer Michael Slackman noticed, headlining his January 28 article, "Egyptians' Fury Has Smoldered Beneath the Surface for Decades," saying:
"The litany of complaints against Mr. Mubarak is well known....The police are brutal. Elections are rigged. Corruption is rampant. Life gets harder for the masses as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. Even as Egypt's economy (grew, so did) people living in poverty...."
Around half its 80 million people are impoverished, living on $2 a day or less. Unemployment is high, especially for youths. In contrast, "walled compounds spring up outside cities with green lawns and swimming pools." It's a nation "where those with money have built a parallel world of private schools and exclusive clubs, leaving the rundown cities to the poor."
Wesleyan University Professor Anne Mariel Peters says "The whole system is seen as (Mubarak's) fault. People do believe (he's) the absolute dictator."
They remember the hypocrisy of his 1981 inaugural address, saying:
"We will embark on our great path: not stopping or hesitating, building and not destroying, protecting and not threatening, preserving and not squandering."
Instead, he solidified absolute power. According to American University Professor Diane Singerman:
"Once you hollow out civil society and repress the unions and you concentrate so much power around your hands, you are vulnerable and it becomes the flip side of stability. I think he is hated for good reason: the constant humiliation, the over-the-top sort of need to control everything, the excessive force."
For three decades, absolute power, cronyism, corruption, and repression defined his rule, including its Emergency Law power to arrest anyone without charge and detain them indefinitely. According to the International Federation for Human Rights:
It grants "broad power to impose restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, movement or residence; the power to arrest and detain suspects or those deemed dangerous, and the power to search individuals and places without the need to follow the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code."
It's how despotism works, violating "rights guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution, which provides for personal freedom in article 41, the inviolability of private homes in article 44, (and) freedom of movement and residence in article 54."
It also let Mubarak censor or shut down critical publications as well as try suspects in military tribunals convened to convict, not exonerate. As a result, many thousands of political opponents, activists and Islamists languish in prisons, many tortured, others killed.
Some compare his regime to the last days of Iran's Shah, including mass poverty and unemployment, repression, cronyism and corruption, near universal contempt for Egypt's ruling class, a capitalist dictatorship, a leadership with no legitimacy, anger for allying with Washington and Israel, and a profound sense of humiliation.
In 2005, the Egyptian Movement for Change (EMC - a coalition of leftists, Nasserists and Islamists) held a series of Cairo demonstrations, criticizing Mubarak publicly, including calling for him to step down. Since then, demands have grown for ending Emergency Law powers, letting judges supervise elections, raising wages, allowing independent unions, redistributing land to poor farmers, and other democratic reforms.
However, no broader movement for change emerged, and Mubarak neutralized dissent by allowing public criticism and privately owned opposition newspapers. According to one EMC member, however: "We were given a license to scream and vent, but what good did it do?"
Until now, most Egyptians remained quiet, largely because Mubarak's intimidation includes the omnipresent state security in neighborhoods, on campuses and wherever opposition might emerge. In addition, the hated Interior Ministry has an army of informers, targeting leftists, human rights activists and Islamists. It's one of Mubarak's most powerful tools, along with the army supported by generous Washington aid.
After 30 despotic years, his day of reckoning has arrived, human rights activist Ghada Shabandar, saying:
"Egyptians are sick and tired of being corrupted and when you live on 300 pounds a month (about $51), you have one of two options: you either become a beggar or a thief. The people sent a message: 'We are not beggars and we do not want to become thieves.' "
Youth Movement co-counder Asmaa Mahfouz added: "We want to fight corruption. These are all things that we have agreed on" besides demanding Mubarak go.
Mass Protests Continue
On January 29, Al Jazeera headlined, "Thousands in Cairo defy curfew," saying:
Anti-Mubarak protests include (t)ens of thousands of people" on Cairo streets, demanding he go. Defying the 4PM - 8AM curfew, soldiers haven't intervened. Some, in fact, said that "the only way for peace to come to the streets of Cairo is for Mubarak to step down."
Similar crowds again massed in Alexandria, Suez and other cities. At least three more killings were reported. "The Egyptian cabinet meanwhile has formally resigned, (and) Ahmed Ezz, a businessman and senior (ruling party) figure....also resigned (as) Planning and Budget Committee" chairman.
Protestors, however, want regime, not cabinet change. Reuters reported that police used live fire at protesters. A military officer said troops would "not fire a single bullet on Egyptians," adding that the only solution is "for Mubarak to leave."
Scores of deaths have been reported, including 22 in Cairo, 23 in Alexandria and 27 in Suez. Moreover, on Friday alone, over 1,000 were injured, and many hundreds have been arrested.
Under house arrest, Mohamed ElBaradei told Al Jazeera that protests would continue until Mubarak goes followed by systemic political changes. He also called his midnight speech "disappointing" and expressed similar sentiment about Washington's response, while saying change must be internal.
Obama Expresses "Partnership" with Egypt's Government and People
Obama, in fact, expressed hollow people support while allying strongly with Mubarak's dictatorship, saying:
"(T)hose protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully. Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms that they seek. (The) United States has a close partnership with Egypt and we've cooperated on many issues, including working together to advance a more peaceful region."
Washington, in fact, supplies nearly $2 billion in aid annually, mostly to repress dissent and assure Mubarak remains a reliable imperial ally. Obama also ignored decades of tyranny that fed up Egyptians demand end. Moreover, he expressed support for human rights on the same day WikiLeaks released cables disclosing US complicity in his use of torture and assassinations of political opponents.
At his January 28 briefing, White House press secretary was asked if Obama's support for Mubarak is unchanged. His response:
"Well, we are - again, we're monitoring a very fluid situation....this is not about picking a person or picking the people of a country."
Then asked what's next if legitimate grievances aren't resolved, he said: "(T)his is a situation that will be solved by the people of Egypt."
In other words, Washington unconditionally supports Mubarak. Egyptians must solve their own problems, America is complicit in causing.
Commenting on January 28, London Guardian columnist Simon Tisdall said "Washington needs a friendly regime in Cairo more than it needs a democratic government," adding that backing authoritarian rule is "pragmatic" for the same reasons Saddam Hussein was supported in the 1980s and numerous other despots today.
He also called "the balancing act performed by (Obama) and (Secretary of State Clinton) excruciating to watch," against "a backdrop of street battles, beatings, tear gas, flying bricks, mass detentions and attempts to shut information networks...."
An aroused Mohamed ElBaradei said:
"If you would like to know why the United States does not have credibility in the Middle East, that is precisely the answer."
Regular Live Coverage
Providing live updates, the Guardian quoted London School of Economics Professor Fawaz Geges calling events:
"the Arab world's Berlin moment. The authoritarian wall has fallen - and that's regardless of whether Mubarak survives or not. The barrier of fear has been removed. It is really the beginning of the end of the status quo in the region....Mubarak is deeply wounded. He is bleeding terribly. We are witnessing the beginning of a new era."
Other regime changes are likely, while Mubarak clings momentarily to power. His likely successor may be spy chief Omar Suleiman, named vice president, a newly created post never tolerated during three decades of his rule. Foreign Policy magazine ranked him the region's most powerful intelligence official, ahead of Mossad's Meir Dagan.
Ahmed Shafiq, former civil aviation minister and air force commander, was named prime minister. Egyptians reject them, demanding clean sweep changes, removing all despotic vestiges.
On Saturday, Army vehicles protected wealthy compounds in Cairo suburbs, five-star hotels, and government ministries.
According to City University, London Professor Rosemary Hollis:
"I think it will take a couple of days to organize (Mubarak's) departure if it happens. It's going to be a messy process and there will probably be (more) bloodshed. I don't think (you'll see) a war with the army on one side and the people on the other. (It) has to decide" which side to back. "It's one of those moments where....individual lieutenants and soldiers" choose which course to take. Splits in the ranks may occur. An interim government is likely. "The question is what replaces it."
Maan News said:
"Palestinian officials in Ramallah offered no comment on the Friday events in Egypt. (In Gaza), Palestinians have been watching the unrest in Egypt attentively, and while civilians say they are pleased with the prospect for change, demonstrations in the north and southern Strip on Friday (focused on condemning) the PA and PLO for" leaked Palestine Papers revelations.
"Gaza's Hamas-run government, like their compatriots in the West Bank, remained mum on the situation." Gazans agree that regime change is positive.
On Friday, Israel's daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said a "revolution in Israel's security doctrine" could follow, according to a defense ministry official.
On January 29, Haaretz writer Anshel Pfeffer headlined, "In Egypt, protesters and soldiers declare: The army and the people are one," saying:
"(M)ilitary officers stationed in the area embraced the protesters, chanting" the above slogan "hand in hand." Hoisted on protesters' shoulders, they removed their helmets, chanting, singing, and saying we've already crossed the point of no return. "Game over," read signs. Haaretz columnist Amos Harel called it an "intelligence chief's nightmare." Netanyahu instructed all ministers and officials to stay silent, a senior one saying:
"Israel is in no way interested in involving itself in Egypt's affairs, and therefore we have received clear instructions to keep a low profile in the Egyptian matter." Clearly, they're concerned. According to Harel:
"(C)hanges could even lead to changes in the IDF and cast a dark cloud over the economy....If the Egyptian regime falls....the riots could easily spill over to Jordan and threaten the Hashemite regime. On Israel's two long peaceful borders, there will then prevail a completely different reality."
On January 30, in his first public comment, Netanyahu said:
"We are following with vigilance the events in Egypt and in our region....at this time we must show responsibility and restraint and maximum consideration....Our efforts have been intended to continue to preserve stability and security in our region. I remind you that peace between Israel and Egypt has lasted for over three decades," adding that efforts will be made to "ensure that these relations will continue to exist."
On January 29, an Amnesty International (AI) action alert said:
"Thirty years of repression is spilling onto the streets of Egypt in the forms of tear-gas, blood and bitter demonstrations. For four days, Egyptian protesters have suffered at the hand of (Mubarak's) security forces."
AI's fellow Egyptian activists want "their voices heard at various Egyptian embassies and consulates. We intend to do all we can to make that happen....That is why we're asking (support) to place an urgent call to" Egypt's Washington embassy at 202-895-5400, then press 1 to speak to a real person on repressive conditions.
"(D)on't take 'no' for an answer." Demand respect for human rights. "Help us make (the) embassy's phone ring off the hook" for democracy and justice!
Saturday evening, protesters again defied curfew orders. Soldiers aren't intervening in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez or elsewhere. Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood leader, Hamman Saeed, warned the Egyptian unrest will spread, toppling other Arab regimes allied with America.
Conditions remain fluid. Millions demand change and intend getting it. Mubarak's era has passed. Egyptian writer Mona Eltahawy spoke for many saying, "We've waited for this revolution for years. Other despots should quail. Change is sweeping through the Middle East...." It remains to be seen what follows. Follow-up articles will explain more.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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1. Clinton signed deregulation of energy, in 1996.
2. Deregulated deals issued, 2000-2001, including in California.
3. The deregulated deals ran up spiral cost inflation, during war and bailouts.
4. Teachers and other unions kept getting money, including by referendum.
5. No border protection issued, during wars.
6. The 1882 invasion of Palestine has incited TWO WORLD WARS, already.
7. The US is over-capitalized, with many obsolete weapons, used to chase insurgents, which are trying to wage a wasting campaign, over time.
8. US influence must fail, where Obama is an AIPAC flunky, which refuses to notice how Moses threw down Ten Commandments at the descendants of the wayward ten tribes, since they were invading Canaan, and so they stoned Moses to death.
9. The invasion of Palestine incited world war, but the Doolittle Raid incited Rape of Nanking.
10.The CIA ran B-24 spyplanes, from Tibet and Taiwan, inciting the Korean War and more!
The US must fail, as our funding weakens, and time marches toward volcanic events, which include La Palma (east coast devastated), Long Valley (ash from California to Mississippi), and YELLOWSTONE (global chill). Globar war begets GLOBAL WARMING, which hastens volcanic and seismic events.
Where does that story or version of the story of Moses come from; where did you find it?
Many people say that scripture says that he led or wanted to lead invasion of Canaan. And some or many make no mention of him having been stoned to death for any reason, while also not mentioning that he was killed in any other manner.
I have read about Moses having thrown down and broken or smashed the first set, pair of Ten Commandment tablets that he wrote, while some people non-credibly claim that God wrote both; but what I read said that Moses did this because when he came back down from the mountain, the people who had been with him and were supposed to be waiting for his return had reverted back to idolatry. God didn't write the first set of tablets, since they contain commandments for doing things that Jesus said not to do, or to stop doing, like sacrificing animals in worship of God, f.e. There were commandments no real God could have any care for, and it's not likely that God is schizophrenic; He wouldn't drastically change in contradictory ways from one minute to the next or over any period of time. These goofy commandments are absent from the second pair of TC tablets, but while God may have inspired Moses with some [wisdom] for writing the second set, I doubt God wrote them.
There are plenty of variations in what's taught, but this is the first time that I've heard or read of Moses having been stoned to death or killed at the hands of people, any people.
You should provide some resource links or references for the above as well as for the invasion of Palestine having incited the two world wars of the 20th century.
Hey kidz!!! Here are a few dotz for those just tuning in to the events happening in Egypt . .
(clipped headline and blog from film maker Ryan Dawson)
"Time line of the Middle East from 1952 to Now by Ry Dawson - I could have started this from before WWI with James Balfour and Lord Rothschild, but to save time I have just skipped up to the more modern stuff. If you want some of the earlier history go here."
(link to blog)
http://www.rys2sense.com/anti-neocons/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=5196&p=29390...
Now, there is a BIG effort by Zio-Leaks and the Zio-Media to try to convince everyone that this is a staged coup d'etat . . and that Israel's Mossad and Un-America's CIA are completely in charge.
This ol' fool from North Cackilacki has seen many such actions in my lifetime . . . but to me, this does not have the ear marks of a staged state-sponsored event, but rather the organic nature of something very TRUE . . . and something VERY BIG . . .
. . . not the "in frame" Zionist Hollywood trick of making something small look bigger than it really is . . .
. . . but rather something VERY BIG that Zio-Tyrants are trying to make appear "small" and insignificant . . .
And you know that if "The Holocaust(TM)" card is being played before you even get to the 3rd paragraph . . . they've got NOTHING in their hands . . . ;-)
(clipped headline and article from Israel's ShalomLife)
"Israeli Commandos in the Streets of Cairo - There is no doubt that the Iranian mad regime is absolutely satisfied with the recent events in Egypt. . . Lies from the library of the Holocaust deniers"
(full story)
http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/14546/Israeli_Commandos_in_the_Streets_of_...
It should be obvious to all by now where the loyalties have always been as WE THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD simply observe who's feeling "threatened" . . . and where they are running for "sanctuary and shelter" . . . ;-)
Let's see . . . Mubarak's "family" flees to London, land of Tony Blair, with 100 pieces of luggage . . .
(clipped headline and article form UK Daily Mail)
"Holidaymakers warned to avoid political rallies as violence in Egypt escalates - President Hosni Mubarak has ruled the country for 30 years and was thought to be preparing his son Gamal to replace him. However, it has been reported that the 82-year-old's heir has fled the country with his wife, taking a flight to London with around 100 pieces of luggage."
(full story)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1350977/Egypt-riots-Holidaymak...
Wouldn't you hate to be those poor baggage handlers? I mean, gold is HEAVY!!! . . . ;-)
The US and post "Shock and Awe" Iraq officials don't seem to feel welcome in the land of the Pharaohs . . .
(clipped headline and article from Raw Story)
"US, Iraq to evacuate nationals as Egypt revolt rages - The United States and Iraq started organising Sunday the evacuation of their nationals from Egypt as an angry anti-government revolt raged into a sixth day amid increasing lawlessness and mass jail breaks."
(full story)
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/iraq-evacuate-nationals-egypt-revolt-...
But the best one yet is that a mighty "Shalom" apparently awaits Mubarak in Zion-ville . . . ;-)
(clipped headline and article from Veterans Today)
"Breaking: Al Jazeera Reports Mubarak’s planning exile to Tel Aviv — The Writing on the Wall - According to sources in the Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel is making preparations to welcome Hosni Mubarak into exile after Saudi Arabia rejected overtures. Al Jazeera also reports Israeli diplomats have fled Egypt amid the unrest."
(full story)
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/01/29/the-writing-on-the-wall%E2%80%94...
I wonder if Mubarak will get one of those shiny "Friends of Zion" awards upon arrival??? . . . ;-)
"Oh, I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
But I see your true colors
Shining through"
- "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper
peace.
The DM article doesn't state a source and an article that I read yesterday said that AlJazeera reported that Mubarak's wife and two sons, or one of his sons, if not both, had left for London; but I Googled AlJazeera for this information and found only one page mentioning anything similar. It was in the AlJazeera live blog for, I believe, Jan. 29th.
"Live blog 29/1 - Egypt protests"
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/29/live-blog-291-egypt-pr...
That's the only mention of London in the live blog and Mubarak's wife is not mentioned at all; not as "wife" anyway. All the above live blog record says is that the two sons [reportedly] left for London and that they arrived there.
The BBC also wrote of this flight as only reported, saying that the BBC was told; not that it's verified.
"As it happened: Egypt unrest day five"
by Ayesha Bhatty and Michael Hirst, Jan. 29, 2011
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/9380534.stm
"Mubarak family’s ‘dash to London’"
by Rhodri Phillips, Jan. 30, 2011
www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3380549/Mubarak-familys-dash-to-Londo...
The article goes on about the "Marie Antoinette" British wife of Mubarak and it can be interesting reading for some people, but the flight of the two sons to London has [not] be verified. So far, it's rumors.
It isn't incredible, but shouldn't be reported or mentioned as if it's been verified.
Quoting from your post:
The Egyptian protesters haven't even criticized the US during these protests. They haven't even torched a lousy KFC, Kentucky Fried Cochonerie (colloquialism for junk in French, in Quebec anyway).
www.le-dictionnaire.com/definition.php?mot=cochonnerie
They have not threatened any foreigners there. So the US and Iraq are acting for what reason, to try to get us to believe that the protesters in Egypt are a danger to foreigners, like ourselves?
Well, maybe not right at this moment. If he and his regime win against the Egyptian population, however, then Israel (and the US) may then give him his "award".
PM Netanyahu has ordered [silence] among Israeli officials regarding the crisis in Egypt; until this whole situation "blows over" anyway. Since they're under orders to be silent, I doubt that Mubarak will be publicly given any award by Israel, for that might only drive more anger, rage among Egyptians.
The Robert Fisk article that Stephen Lendman quoted from evidently is the following, or a version of it at another Web site, such as Belfast Telegraph, where the title and first paragraph slightly differ from the following copy.
"Robert Fisk: Egypt's day of reckoning
Mubarak regime may not survive new protests as flames of anger spread through Middle East"
Jan. 28, 2011
www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-egypts-day-o...
The Independent's index for his articles is linked above the title of the piece in the above page and there is at least one January 30th article by him.
"Robert Fisk: Egypt: Death throes of a dictatorship
Our writer joins protesters atop a Cairo tank as the army shows signs of backing the people against Mubarak's regime"
Jan. 30, 2011
www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-egypt-death-...
Both of the above articles have links for slideshows of pictures from on the scene. I haven't checked the pictures from the Jan. 28th article, but checked the pictures linked with the Jan. 30th piece and there are only two photos, one showing protesters sitting atop an army tank, while the second shows protesters carrying an army captain on their shoulders, sights worth seeing pictures of.
I'll excerpt the first half or so of the Jan. 30th article. All of these paragraphs are good reading, but the last one(s) I'll excerpt is particularly interesting. It doesn't describe anything new to people who have learned enough about false flag attacks and like actions of state, but it's important for everyone to understand that states often commit acts to try to make activists for justice and peace look publicly bad.
The or some of the rest of the article describes violence, certainly very violent acts committed by the "security" police, but what the last three paragraphs excerpted, above, are about certainly aren't acts that any Egyptians authentically or truly protesting for the end of the US-Israel-Mubarak regime to cease and be replaced with a democratic and just government. Egyptians would have nothing to gain from such acts, but the US, Israel and Mubarak wouldn't; that is, they would stand to "gain", aka "benefit".
Robert Fisk continued:
And Mubarak has been asking or demanding that protesters quiet down, as if they would take these cold-blooded and brutal, savage murders committed by Mubarak's "security" forces lightly?
Funny, the building didn't collapse from those raging fires. Egypt uses much better construction than the US did for WTC Towers 1, 2 and 7; or so Washington would like us to believe about 9/11, that much less fire was able to totally destroy these three major structures.
Obama:
Yes, definitely and clearly then, but not only then, for we also have the same thing with respect to US foreign policies regarding non-Arab Afghanistan, several African countries, as well as some other countries targeted by Washington for Corporate America and geopolitical power. Washington never is moral for any good reasons. Whenever Washington [appears] moral, it's always for some strategic reason and it's like "War is a Racket", always for racket.
Robert Fisk concludes with:
The article is followed by a list for, "The main developments: A nation in turmoil". It isn't long and is worth reading.
Re. false flag attacks, ...:
False flag attacks and whatever else I said about this, further above, the other term I was meaning is "agents provacateurs", the following piece just reminded me of.
"Is the Egyptian Government Using Agents Provocateur to Justify a Crack Down On the Protesters?"
by Washington’s Blog, Jan. 30, 2011
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23013
He refers to an AlJazeera report of today and it's of Jan. 29th, so the above article must've originally been of Jan. 29th. And all source articles are linked in this one, btw. I'll italize text cited in this article since I can't duplicate the paragraph indentation here.
This is clearly what's going on in Egypt. Robert Fisk had already made this sufficiently clear for people familiar with the topic of "agents provocateurs" and false flag attacks or actions, violence, but the above article is worth reading in full as well.
The following is an article that may put a smile on the faces of activists for the rights of Palestinians and the people of Lebanon, or who simply want Israel to become very isolated in the Middle East, losing its strongest allies. Israel already has significantly lost Turkey as an ally and is now in fear of losing Egypt.
"Without Egypt, Israel will be left with no friends in Mideast
Without Egypt's Mubarak and with relations with Turkey in shambles, Israel will be forced to court new potential allies."
by Aluf Benn, Jan. 29, 2011
www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/without-egypt-israel-will-be-left...
I got that link from ICH, InformationClearingHouse.info, and the above page provided a link for the following piece as well.
"PM Netanyahu: Israel will monitor but not comment on Egypt protests
The Foreign Ministry is conducting status updates on Egypt every couple of hours and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has been maintaining close contact with Israel's ambassador to Egypt."
by News Agencies and Barak Ravid, Jan. 29, 2011
www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/pm-netanyahu-israel-will-monitor-...
Israel strategically has to stay very silent about the events in Egypt in order to try to avoid acceleration of the loss of Egypt as an ally. The Israeli silence, which evidently is for all Israeli officials to abide by very strictly, is not for any good intentions, since we know that the Israeli leadership NEVER has any. Israeli leadership strategically has to avoid speaking out in any terms taking sides, for Mubarak or the Egyptian population, needing, strategically, from angering either side of the Egyptian situation.
Hypocrite, et cetera, Washington and several European countries, however, haven't been silent and their hypocrisy is evident. But Israeli leadership is not butting into the Egyptian crisis; total silence in order to avoid slip-ups with words.
Wikileaked diplomatic cables:
Stephen Lendman's article mentions a Wikileaked diplomatic cable and I would guess that the second one, below, is the more likely match with the one he's talking about, but maybe neither of the cables the following two articles are about are the one he referred to.
"Egypt protests: secret US document discloses support for protesters
Here is the secret document sent from the US Embassy in Cairo to Washington disclosing the extent of American support for the protesters behind the Egypt uprising."
Jan. 28, 2011
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/8289698/Eg...
That, imo, is a questionable cable, for it's very unlike Washington and American diplomats work for imperialist and corporatist Washington, but maybe the person who wrote the cable was honest and believed Washington supported Egyptian protesters; or maybe Washington did, but only for strategic and not moral reasons. There's an odd date in the beginning and it's 12/30/2028, which I think is a typo. error. At the very end of the article there's a piece of text reading, "SCOBEY02008-12-307386PGOV,PHUM,KDEM,EGAPRIL 6 ACTIVIST ON HIS U.S.". The latter says 2008-12-30 and I think the 2028 was supposed to be 2008.
The next article and cable is more credible when speaking of Washington.
"WikiLeaks Cables Detail Egyptian Repression, Torture
Obama Administration Fully Aware, Reluctant to Press Mubarak"
by Jason Ditz, January 28, 2011
http://news.antiwar.com/2011/01/28/wikileaks-cables-detail-egyptian-repr...
Obama's liar and hypocrite as usual, and the US, Washington, since when does it care about human rights?
From Stephen Lendman's article about the despotism of the Mubarak regime, it and Washington seem very similar.