Israel Matzav

Egypt: Bush Knesset speech 'Torah inspired'

This is rich.

Egyptian newspapers condemned U.S. President George W. Bush's speech in the Knesset last Thursday as “Torah inspired,” making the U.S. unable to act as an “honest broker” in the Middle East conflict. "The Torah-inspired speech of Bush raised question marks over the credibility of the U.S. role in the Middle East," the state controlled Al-Ahram newspaper said. "Bush aims to do nothing but appeasing Israel."

Someone please remind me why Egypt is still the third-largest recipient (after Israel and Iraq) of US foreign aid.

UPDATE 11:56 PM

Here are more Egyptian media reactions. As you read this, please keep in mind that we are at 'peace' with Egypt.

A front page editorial in Al-Gomhouria, another Egyptian state-owned daily, described Bush as a failed president who delivers nothing but a lousy speech.

Akhbar Al-Youm also on Saturday published a picture of Bush hugging Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and captioned it "lovers".

The paper also ran a front page cartoon showing an Egyptian peasant consoling President Hosni Mubarak for having to meet with this burdensome guy who will be leaving soon, in reference to Bush.

I wonder how the Egyptian papers would caption this picture, which was taken today in Sharm El-Sheikh. Yes, that's Bush holding hands with Abu Mazen, and here's what Bush told him today.

U.S. President George W. Bush met Saturday with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas – and promised him that there would be an Arabs state in areas controlled the PA by the end of 2008, if he had anything to say about it. "It breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people, really, wasted," Bush said. Such a state “would be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place in the Palestinian territories," he told Abbas.

That sound you just heard was me losing my Melave Malka (post-Sabbath meal).

UPDATE SUNDAY 8:21 PM

CBS and Al-AP add (Hat Tip: Memeorandum):

The newspapers, whose management are all appointed by the government, criticized Mr. Bush's speech Thursday in front of the Israeli Knesset for being overly supportive of the Israelis and not mentioning the Palestinians' plight.

The article then goes on to name the same newspapers I named above.

My question as to why the United States is still granting so much aid to Egypt stands. On the other hand, the Democrats may be so pleased with the criticism of Bush, they may actually wish to increase Egyptian aid.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:49 PM