DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
The guide of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Mahdi Akef stated that the group would not recognize Israel should it come to power in the biggest Arab state, contradicting earlier statements by the group’s head of politburo, according to press reports.
“The word Israel is not in the group's dictionary. We will never recognize the Jewish state,” he told London-based Al-Hayat daily, asserting his banned but largely tolerated Islamist group would admit to the presence of "Zionist guerillas that occupied Arab land and expelled its people."
Head of the Brotherhood's politburo Dr. Essam Al-Erian had earlier declared that if the group comes to power, it will recognize Israel and respect all previous treaties: "However, Camp David will have to be modified. We're not declaring war, but we need to revise all agreements in accordance with Egyptian interests."
"If they want to live amongst us, let it be in a Palestinian state. If they want a state of their own, resistance is what we have," Akef told the paper.
The debate erupted following the group’s presentation of a platform, as a first step in establishing a political party, to political parties and other societies and groups in Egypt in late last August.
Akef emphasized that the Brotherhood respects freedom of expression and that disputes could be resolved.
He also pointed out that establishing a board of Muslim clerics to oversee the government aims only at reformation. This has been one of the most controversial issues since it was viewed by many as inspired by the Iranian regime where clerics have the final say in a wide range of political issues.
The platform included other issues that sparked controversy. These included barring Copts from presidency and prime ministry and denying women access to governing positions. The proposed program did not specify what that meant exactly.
Akef admitted that when the Brotherhood's political program was presented, there were many conflicting points of view.
"We will hold two discussion sessions to tackle all the different opinions before we present the program in its final form."
The platform also included other vague statements, such as applying a code of ethics to culture and arts as well as the exact limits of scholars' control over the parliament.
The platform triggered wide dismay amongst secular intellectuals who view this as a hard-line program that undermines any attempts at making Egypt a civic state. A heated debate even ensued between conservatives and reformists inside the Brotherhood itself.
The Brotherhood, whose motto is "Islam is the answer," won fifth of the parliament seats in the 2005 elections, thus becoming the biggest opposition bloc. Analysts attribute the rising popularity of the Islamist group to increased indignation at government policies especially in the light of the intensive clampdowns targeting its members. |
