Jewish group condemns Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood over fierce statement
BY DIAA HADID Associated Press
Sunday, October 14, 2012
10/14/12 at 5:56 AM
A fierce statement against Jews by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual guide drew criticism from an Israeli lawmaker Saturday, while a Jewish activist group called on Washington to cut contacts with Egypt over the issue.
Mohammed Badie said during his weekly message that Jews were spreading "corruption," had slaughtered Muslims and desecrated holy sites. He further called on Muslims to fight Israel, saying Zionists only understood force.
Israel has increasingly become concerned over its relations with Egypt as the formerly repressed Muslim Brotherhood has risen to power with the election of an Islamist president following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. The jitters come despite a pledge by newly elected President Mohammed Morsi that Egypt will abide by a 1979 peace accord with Israel.
Muslim Brotherhood members frequently make statements against Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem, accusing Jews of trying to smother the city's Islamic identity and calling on Muslims to rise up and protect the city and its holy shrines.
But Badie's statement was the first time the group's supreme leader has made such strong statements since Morsi's election. Morsi has avoided speaking of Israel in public, making only pledges to respect Egypt's international agreements.
Badie referred to longstanding Muslim calls to "defend" Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site for Muslims and Jews.
"It is time for the Muslim (nation) to unite for the sake of Jerusalem and Palestine after the Jews have increased the corruption in the world, and shed the blood of (Muslims)," Badie said in comments published on the group's website and emailed to reporters Thursday.
Israeli lawmaker Danny Danon called on the U.S. and the European Union "not to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the worrying reality."
"Incitement and anti-Semitism in Egypt must stop before the U.S. sends (Egypt) hundreds of millions of dollars," he said in a telephone interview. "The direction of the new Egyptian government is very worrying and we are following with great concern what is being said and done and what is not being done there against extremists."
Original Print Headline: Jewish group condemns Brotherhood
Associated Images:
Mohammed Badie: The spiritual guide of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said Jews were spreading "corruption" and desecrated holy sites. He also called on Muslims to fight Israel.
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