JOHN CHUCKMAN COMMENT: EGYPT’S EL-SISI AND DAVID CAMERON – WHY EGYPT CAN NEVER HAVE DEMOCRACY – ISRAEL’S SAD ROLE IN MAINTAINING TYRANNY IN THE MIDEAST

John Chuckman

COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN THE GUARDIAN

Thank you for this moving account of your treatment by Egypt’s el-Sisi government, but such horrors cause David Cameron, now welcoming el-Sisi to Britain, no loss of sleep.

The truth is that Israel could not tolerate the previous, elected government of Egypt a week longer, and that is why it was toppled. Cameron invariably extends his friendship towards anyone doing Israel’s bidding. Rupert Murdoch, his patron, undoubtedly insists.

We all know how Israel loves jabbering about democracy in public relations speeches, but, when it comes to any neighboring countries or people, the jabbering falls strangely silent. Democracy for any of Israel’s neighbors is viewed as toxic.

And just so, Hamas in Gaza, not a terrorist organization but a party representing Palestinian interests (one Israel even secretly assisted in its early days in order to sabotage Fatah), a party which was freely and fairly elected in Gaza and relentlessly attacked by Israel ever since.

With whom does Israel insist on dealing in all matters concerning Palestine, at least on the very few occasions it deigns to talk? Abbas, a man who is not elected.

Some democratic values. Some democracy.

I’m sorry, but Egypt will never have a democracy of any meaningful description so long as Israel remains what it is.