Unhelpful fools making Egypt situation worse

Muslims against Mubarak use Anti-Semitic propaganda to advance Islamist cause

pictured: Malaysian protester outside the Egyptian embassy in Kuala Lumpur

Israel's government has wisely stated that the peace accords between Egypt and Israel are in the interests of both countries, and that the 30+ years of the peace have benefited both nations.

Unfortunately, Israel also spoke too strongly in defense of the Mubarak regime, which, like it or not, is an authoritarian government, which has maintained power through unjust practices.

Yes, Hosni Mubarak has helped to maintain the status quo in the region, and even gone after terrorists who wish to destabilize the Middle East, and fundamentalist Islamists who wish to impose Sharia Law over Egypt. All the same, he is an unpopular ruler who has prevented any real democracy from taking hold in his own nation. On top of that, the World Bank has reported that 40% of Egyptians live in poverty ($2 a day or less) and are uneducated, and Mubarak has done little to help improve that situation.

Now the protests are gaining international support in places like Malaysia and in other Muslim communities around the world. The problem with that is the supporters of the protests will start to become more fundamentalist as the popular revolt grows, and they will support more fanatic opposition groups like the Muslim Brotherhood to replace the Mubarak regime, leaving moderate opponents like Mohamad El-Baradei dangling by the wayside, and ultimately politically incapable of taking charge to establish a better Egypt.

If the Egyptians wish to attain a better situation, it would be in their interest to:

a) Recognize and support the more moderate voices of opposition, and

b) Maintain the peace with Israel, and

c) Keep the region stable with a strong and peaceful political platform.

As for Israel, the government in Jerusalem should voice support for any peaceful government the people of Egypt choose, and especially one that maintains the Camp David Peace Accords of 1978. Aside from that, Israel should stay out of the way, diplomatically, and not interfere with the crisis in Cairo. Any public position that prefers one side over the other will ultimately hurt Israel, as Islamists will use it to criticize the peace accords.