Hot off the Arab press

What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East.

By COMPILEDTHE MEDIA LINE
Palestinian troops loyal to Hamas on patrol 521 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian troops loyal to Hamas on patrol 521
(photo credit: REUTERS)
How Does Israel Read the Situation in Egypt? Palestine News Network, Bethlehem, June 8
The violence in Egypt is harming all aspects of Israel’s security. In an article published in Haaretz by Amos Harel, the paper’s military correspondent warned of after-shocks expected to follow the clashes in Egypt, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula.
Harel wrote that the Egyptian army’s efforts are focused on regaining security in the main cities, not on Sinai. He added that Hamas in Gaza is exercising self-control, at least for now. He pointed out, however, that Hamas is still awaiting further developments in Egypt before reacting, noting that Hamas’s position may lead to increased tension with Israel.
Harel adds that the Muslim Brotherhood provided political and logistical support to Hamas to get it to sign a cease-fire with Israel. It is too early to see if this latest violence on Egypt means an end to the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, but Hamas naturally prefers the Muslim Brotherhood’s continued rule in Egypt.
Israeli Media Busy Analyzing  Consequences of Egyptian crisis Al Istiqial, Gaza, June 8
While Israeli politicians have remained mostly silent in the face of the events in Egypt, at the request of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli media and former generals have been busy covering the strife in Egypt.
Some TV channels devoted around-the-clock coverage and analysis to the events in the crisis, their relationship with Israel, and the future of the security situation in both Gaza and Sinai.
Remarkably, Israeli and Egyptian analysts’ reading of the current events were largely similar. They both were not sure whether to call what happened in Egypt a coup or a revolution. They also had similar takes regarding the motives of millions of people who protested the rule of now ousted president Mohammed Morsi.
They differed, however, in that the Israeli media consider the current violence a good thing for Israel.
It was also obvious that Israel loathed the rule of the late president Gamal Abdel Nasser more than they’ve hated the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood.
ISRAEL ’ S APPETITE Al Ayyam, Ramallah, June 8 Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger should be remembered for declaring that Israel does not have a foreign policy, but only a domestic one.
Most importantly, he warned Israel about the Oslo Accords, saying they would eventually lead to a Palestinian state.
For US Secretary of State John Kerry the creation of a Palestinian state now goes further than just a warning. So what remains? Israel’s foreign policy toward a Palestinian state is dictated by the Netanyahu government; the government will fall.
They say a good appetite comes with eating, and Israel has a hearty one because it is stronger than ever and more prosperous and brags about being the sole democracy in the region.
There are half a million settlers on the outskirts of Jerusalem, in the settlement blocs and in settlements beyond the security wall.
The excuse for not negotiating with the Palestinians now is ready: The West Bank is quiet (or only boiling slowly) and Hamas is deterred and has its own problems. When the situation is calm, there is no need for negotiations, while in times of turmoil, the Israelis say there can be no negotiations under threat of terrorism.
Demographic dangers are no longer a threat in light of the increasing Israeli (particularly Jewish) birth rates.
Kerry’s most recent proposals sound centrist and smart. George W. Bush’s plan, however, was to buy years of quiet; the Obama-Kerry project’s aim is only to buy months.
How Does Israel View Sisi? Ma’an News Agency, Bethlehem, June 7
All armies around the world try to assess the personalities of the oppositions’ generals and leaders, especially if there is talk of an upcoming war where they may soon be faced on the battlefield.
The assessment must be objective, so the Israeli security establishment sees the importance of assessing Egyptian Minister of Defense and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The main outlines of this profile appeared in Saturday’s Israeli daily Ma’ariv in the context of a lengthy report.
This analysis might have been new to the general public, but not to Israeli generals, who have known Sisi since he was commander of Egypt’s military intelligence.
He was described as having a cool head, being a national Egyptian loyalist, and a leader who knows how and when to make decisions.
Saudis Succeed Abroad Al Wattan, Kuwait, June 9
Four Saudi women have graduated from a Dutch university in record time after they were denied admission to their fields of study in their own country.
The students completed their course requirements a semester ahead of their classmates.
The University of Maastricht in The Netherlands honored the Saudi students for completing their doctoral degrees as part of King Abdullah’s Foreign Scholarship Program.
Six years ago, the four students could not obtain admission to their academic programs at Saudi universities despite having completed high school with high grades. Two of the students studied law, one studied mathematics and other medicine.
One of the students had to overcome another challenge: She had to take her one-year-old baby to Europe. The mother, Dawlat Madi, says she grabbed the academic opportunity and despite the obstacles, calls her study in The Netherlands a success story.