Another Arab Spring in Egypt?

The ceasefire, although very fragile, is holding between Israel and the Hamas leadership within the Gaza Strip.  I think both sides realize that its continuance is highly unlikely.  As one looks back over other ceasefires that have been declared in that region, the winners have appeared to be the ones who have been opposed by Israel.  It is almost certain that Hamas is using this time to rearm itself as it bathes in the favorable international media attention that it has received.  Who has not grimaced at those pictures of bodies of children being removed from the rubble of buildings IDF planes had destroyed.  Yet the media has paid little, if any, attention to the destruction, both real and emotional, that the hundreds of Hamas rockets have caused in the lives of the millions of Israeli citizens who live near the Gazan border. 

The strength of the ceasefire lies within the hands of the Egyptian President Morsi.  Yet now he himself and his administration is under attack within Egypt.  Hundreds of Egyptians have camped out in Tahrir Square just as they did back in January 2010.  This time they are demanded the resignation of President Morsi.  Strikes have been called.  Violence has occurred.  Egypt is in a state of unrest once again.  What was the reason for this latest unrest in Egypt?

This past weekend President Morsi declared that he alone possessed absolute powers within the Egyptian government.  In essence he declared that he would be another autocratic ruler just as the ousted President Mubarak had been.  Even the Egyptian Supreme Court is struggling with the legality of Morsi's declaration.  Headlines today indicate that the Supreme Court in Egypt has joined the lower courts in striking against the rule of President Morsi.  Wait a minute, I thought the Arab Spring had put Egypt on the road to a democratic government...so, what am I missing?  How could the tide of popular opinion for Morsi turn so quickly? 

First, we need to remember that President Morsi is both a member and a leader within the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the largest and most powerful radical Islamic movements within the Middle East.  And, as you will remember, the Muslim Brotherhood has as its stated purpose the destruction of the State of Israel and the promotion of the next Islamic Caliphate.  You cannot separate Morsi from his political roots anymore than you can separate President Obama from his Democratic roots or George Bush from his Republican roots. 

Second, we need to remember that Islam is a religion that does not relate well to the principles of democracy.  Islam is a religion that is founded upon autocratic ideals.  When one looks at those nations where Islam is the religion, or at least the dominate religion, those nations are governed by autocrats.  Libya for years was dominated by Gaddafi.  Syria has been ruled by the Assad family for decades.  Saudi Arabia has been ruled equally long by a monarchy within the hands of one family.  So, yes, Morsi was elected by the people in a democratic election, but his comfort lies in being the leader with all the powers at his disposal.  Even though he has indicated that this is only a temporary assumption of powers, history is hard pressed to find those who have held such power ever relinquishing those powers later.  As someone has said, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."  Time will tell what will happen in Egypt.

But the impact of the Egyptian situation has great bearing upon Israel and Hamas.  If Morsi is forced to resign because of the pressures of another uprising, then the influence he has upon Hamas to keep the ceasefire will be rendered ineffective.  And we know that Iran is already prepared to step in to champion its proxy in Hamas. 

If you are interested in reading about the situation between Israel and Gaza I highly recommend an article written by Dr. Earl Tilford titled, "The Gaza Trap."  You can find it at www.Christianity.com. 

Tomorrow a resolution will be presented before the 193-seat United Nations General Assembly to grant an upgrade in the Palestinian Authority's status to non-member observer state.  The United States has gone on record as opposing this resolution.  One US senior official, in an interview with the "Wall Street Journal" stated, "Our message to the Palestinians has not changed.  We believe that bringing forward a resolution on statehood is unwise, does not help bring them closer to their legitimate aspirations, and will create an environment less positive for negotiations.  We are trying to prevent this from happening, don't want it to happen, and it has not happened yet."  On the other hand, the European Union has not yet decided how its member nations would vote on the resolution.  However the United Kingdom has gone on record as supporting the resolution if the Palestinian Authority can grant assurances that it would not seek to join the International Criminal Court or any other UN agencies and would not take its statehood bid to the United Nations Security Council.  You can find this full article at www.jpost.com under the heading of "PA submits draft statehood resolution to UNGA."  It was posted on November 27. 

And things have gotten much more interesting in Israel as they prepare for elections in January.  Defense Minister and former leader of the Labor Party (he left that party and had formed his own party known as Independence Party) Ehud Barak has announced his retirement from politics.  And former Kadima Party leader and former Prime Minister Livni has announced that she is forming her own political party.  You have to love the way the Israelis do their elections.  Stay tuned, this is going to get very interesting in the coming weeks. 

And here in the States all eyes will be focused upon Washington as the "fiscal cliff" gets closer and closer.  Many ideas are being kicked around with the emphasis upon "kicked."  As of yet no one from either party has presented "the straw man" from which negotiations can begin.  And until that happens, really nothing will happen.  I am wondering who will show the courage and boldness and political risk to step forward with a proposal.  But to be perfectly truthful with you all, any resolution now will only move the cliff down the road a little further.  The debt load that our country has right now and our insatiable appetite for government funding of almost every aspect of our lives precludes any realistic reigning in of the impending financial disaster.  We can merely postpone it. 

But I am glad that my hope is not based upon stocks and bonds, silver and gold.  "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."  And I hope you can say the same. 

Thought for the Week:  Forbidden fruits create many jams.