Editorial Arab Quartet’s Israel steps up Europe’s sanctions air war against response to the against Qatar, Iran in Syria migration crisis a year on Page 6 Pages 5,10 Pages 9, 13

June 3, 2018 Issue 159, Year 4

UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com EU €2.50 Macron brings Libyan protagonists together but doubts still surround election prospects ► Convening the meeting was an achievement as no one had been able to get all four main actors in the Libyan crisis in the same room at the same time.

Michel Cousins president, government and House of Representatives, will either be through a referendum on the pro- Paris posed constitution or by an amend- ment to the 2011 Constitutional en months after French Declaration. President Emmanuel Ma- The latter option is important cron achieved a political as a constitutional framework is T tour de force by getting the necessary. However, the proposed two main contestants in the Libyan constitution, as it stands, is unac- divide — Field-Marshal Khalifa Haf- ceptable to federalists in the east tar and head of the internationally and to the country’s ethnic minori- recognised government Fayez al- ties — the Amazigh, Tebu and Tuar- Sarraj — to agree to elections and a eg. They would boycott or possibly ceasefire, he has done it again. sabotage a referendum. This time, Macron brought to- It was also agreed that the Cen- gether not just Haftar and Sarraj tral Bank of Libya and all other but also the other two main ac- state organisations, such as the tors in the Libyan crisis — Ageela Libyan Investment Authority and Saleh, the head of the House of the National Oil Corporation, be re- Representatives (HoR), and Khalid united. Additionally, it was agreed (AFP) al-Mishri, the head of the State the HoR would move to Benghazi Council and member of the Muslim from Tobruk as soon as feasibly Conflicting agendas. Brotherhood’s political wing, the possible. (L-R) Libyan Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar, President of the eastern Libyan House of Justice and Construction Party — The question is whether the deal Representatives Ageela Saleh, head of the internationally recognised government Fayez al-Sarraj for meetings May 29 in Paris. will be implemented or delayed to and President of Libya High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri during an international conference Convening the meeting was an the point of rendering it meaning- on Libya at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 29. achievement. No one had been able less. to get all four in the same room at UN Special Envoy Ghassan Sala- the same time, let alone have them me, who has been pushing for agree to specific steps to reunite elections, said he was optimistic. Haftar, he added, assured those Misrata and Tripoli let it be known eral governments privately ques- Libya, including presidential and Under the deal he is to convene an- at the meeting that the Libyan they were opposed to it, particu- tioned that Libya would be able to parliamentary elections on Decem- other meeting of the four to work Army would keep the country unit- larly because it was organised by have elections before the end of ber 10. out details of the elections and ed, protect the elections and “abide the French, whom they see as too the year. Before the meeting Macron pro- constitutional arrangements. by their results by working under close to Haftar. There are also sug- The Italians are known to be posed a draft agreement covering Also optimistic was Aref Nayd, an elected president, like many gestions, coming from Haftar’s deeply unhappy with Macron’s not just the elections and accept- the former Libyan ambassador to other countries.” Libyan National Army, that since initiative, seeing it as an attempt to ance of the results but also a com- the United Arab Emirates who at- Several HoR members expressed nothing was signed in Paris, noth- gain influence in Libya at their ex- mitment to support efforts medi- tended the Paris meetings and support for the Paris meeting. Many, ing is binding. pense. The Americans are reported ated by Egypt to reunite the Libyan who, in March, became the first however, were not convinced that There is also the fact that several to be less than enthusiastic, pub- armed forces. Even after the deal Libyan political figure to formally the deadlines will be kept. Some foreign governments, notably Italy licly supporting elections in prin- was decided, Mishri refused to sign announce he would be a candidate are sceptical about the meeting it- and Egypt, were not happy about ciple but not convinced the timing it, leading French officials to sug- for the presidency. self, seeing it as little more than a the meeting and are expected to is right. gest that no one sign. “It was a spectacular success, political show that the four Libyan do little to help implement the It was agreed that the constitu- despite the many doubts raised leaders felt they had to attend but outcome. Michel Cousins is a contributor to tional framework, which must be beforehand and despite the diffi- who will find reasons not to keep Although it supposedly had the The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. in place by mid-September spell- cult negotiations. For the first time, their promises once back in Libya. backing of nearly two dozen coun- ing out the responsibilities of the deadlines have been set,” he said. Before the meeting, militias in tries attending the meeting, sev- P2 Syria’s television industry staggers through another Ramadan

Sami Moubayed Syria to rescue his sister, who was and the Islamic State. gering anger from Damascus-based kidnapped during the conflict. He The opposition claims these actors who complain bitterly of the gets arrested shortly after setting works provide only the “point of disparity in hiring practices. Some Beirut foot in Damascus. view of the regime,” arguing that have turned to dubbing Turkish Syrian censors refused to air no works reflect that of the anti- soap operas to make ends meet. yria’s television production the work, saying that it had been regime camp, simply because Saudi This year, only 12 soaps were pro- industry, once a source of “postponed” — a polite way of say- Arabia is not interested in political- duced in Syria. Some actors who pride and joy for all Syrians, ing “banned” — which triggered ly driven works that wouldn’t sell used to earn $15,000-$20,000 per S has started to cave in, near- a backlash from Nouri. “I have during Ramadan. work are settling for salaries that ing collapse after seven years of re- adopted this project,” he told The As a result, even works that cost barely reach $8,000. lentless war. Arab Weekly, “because it achieves as little as $600,000 are having a The industry boomed in the ear- Before the conflict, the public and a small part of my personal ambi- difficult time recouping costs be- ly 1990s when Arab Gulf money private sectors used to produce 30- tions. It touches on reality, present- cause none of the big buyers, such poured into Syrian production after 50 television dramas per season, at ing people you see on the streets.” as MBC, want to air them, and be- Damascus joined the Gulf War. an average cost of $1 million per se- Because of the “postponement,” cause advertisement budget has That “reward” ended when Syria ries of 30 episodes. The private sec- Nouri was absent from television dropped in general throughout the put its full weight behind Hezbollah tor no longer has the money needed screens this Ramadan, given that region. during the summer war of 2006. At for such investment, resulting in “Bab al-Hara,” the cash cow of Syr- Before the crisis, such channels the time, Syrian President Bashar mediocre low-budget productions, ian drama, is off the air due to legal used to pay $300,000-$450,000 per Assad instructed state-run televi- with low salaries for A-list stars. It disputes between the director and a work, making it a goldmine for Syr- sion to buy “all works” produced by has also ramped up censorship for producer. ian producers. Now, the only chan- Syrians, to cover at least parts of the (AFP) shows that are politically sensitive. Another problem is an Arab boy- nels that buy Syrian works with a production costs. That put the in- Witnesses to decline. One example is “Tarjuman al- cott of locally produced Syrian domestic story are those that either dustry on life support. Now it faces Ashwak,” a state-produced drama shows, as well as viewer fatigue of get them for free, such as Syrian TV, total collapse. Syrian actors check that had been scheduled for this productions set against the back- or don’t pay well, like Iraqi TV. a mobile phone on set Ramadan, starring Abbas al-Nouri, ground of war. Much of Syria’s own Production companies wanting Sami Moubayed is a Syrian during the filming of a the celebrated star of the hugely output focuses on the rise of jihadi to reach a wide Arabic audience historian and author of “Under television series in the popular Arab soap “Bab al-Hara.” groups to kidnapping, checkpoints, have resorted to hiring Lebanese the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). mountains of Damascus’s “Tarjuman al-Ashwak” tells the electricity blackouts, war profiteer- actors and actresses, for much more eastern Yafour area. story of a dissident who returns to ing, economic grievances, refugees than their Syrian counterparts, trig- P20 2 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Maghreb Cautious optimism among Libya’s neighbours after Paris meetings

Ahmed Megahid Priority issue. French President Cairo Emmanuel Macron (R) ibya’s neighbouring coun- and Tunisian tries welcomed the declara- President Beji tion by key political players Caid Essebsi L vowing to have presidential after an and parliamentary elections in De- international cember. conference The declaration, agreed to at a on Libya in meeting in Paris, called for the uni- Paris, on ty of Libya’s security and military May 29. (AP) agencies and administrative insti- tutions. It contains an agreement among Libya’s rivals on regulations by September to prepare for elec- tions December 10, either by draft- ing a new election law or tailoring articles on elections in the Libyan Constitution. The meeting, which was spon- sored by French President Emma- nuel Macron, brought Libya’s main political figures: Fayez al-Sarraj, the prime minister of Libya’s inter- nationally recognised government; Khalid al-Mishri, the head of the Tripoli-based State Council; Khalifa Haftar, the commander of eastern Libya’s army; and Ageela Saleh, speaker of the eastern Libya House of Representatives. Sarraj met with US Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Williams and commander of US forces in Africa US Marines General Thomas Wald- hauser two days after the Paris lice, army and people. Rifts among whether the Libyans will imple- news conference in Cairo. “We have curity analysts said a large propor- meeting with Libya’s UN-backed the Libyans turned the country into ment the declaration. It commits hopes that these efforts will bear tion of the arms and explosives government called for “further co- fertile ground for terrorist groups, Libyan rivals to abiding by the re- fruit.” in the hands of terrorists in Egypt operation” with the United States such as the Islamic State (ISIS), to sults of the December elections. It Egypt has especially been trying originate in Libya. Egypt has been and Williams said Washington take root and grow. Libya also be- calls for the unification of the Cen- to help Libya’s military command- fighting ISIS and other terrorist backed elections “as soon as pos- came a major transit point for mi- tral Bank of Libya, the abolition of ers unify operations to secure Lib- groups since 2011, particularly in sible.” grants, either escaping the war in parallel state institutions and back- yan territory the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Syria or poverty and unrest in Af- ing efforts made by the United Na- The Paris declaration calls for Desert that borders Libya. Ouyahia, in attendance in Paris, rica. tions to settle the conflict in the building professional and account- “Egypt is very concerned about said he was positive about the Apart from sending hundreds of country. able security and military institu- what is happening in Libya and this meeting’s outcomes. thousands of refugees to Algeria, tions and backing talks sponsored is why it sticks to any effort that “The agreement reached in the Tunisia and Egypt, Libya is a secu- The Paris declaration by Egypt on this issue. seeks to bring stability to this coun- meetings will open the door for rity menace to its neighbours with Egypt, which has a 1,100km bor- try,” said security analyst Khalid holding parliamentary and presi- Qaddafi’s arms stockpiles falling contains an agreement der with Libya, has complained Okasha. dential elections in Libya,” Ouyahia into the hands of terrorists and the among Libya’s rivals on about the effect that the situation Tunisian President Beji Caid Es- said. “Algeria looks with a lot of numerous militias active. regulations by September in Libya has on its national security, sebsi expressed hope that the Paris comfort as it sees Libya’s main play- Ouyahia said Algeria’s 1,000km to prepare for elections amid concerns that Libya is a major meetings would push peace-mak- ers being represented in the talks.” border with Libya was a major December 10. transit point for arms and militants. ing forward in Libya. “A settlement Libya has turned into a major source of concern. Last October, Egyptian President to the conflict in Libya will be last- problem for neighbouring coun- “This brings us security threats Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told the French ing and credible only through the tries since it fell into chaos follow- from Libya and also threatens re- Shoukry said the declaration news channel France 24 that the United Nations,” Caid Essebsi said ing the downfall of the Qaddafi re- gional security,” Ouyahia told Alge- proved Egypt’s view on the impor- Egyptian Air Force had destroyed during the Paris meetings. “Libya’s gime in 2011. rian state television. “This is why tance of presidential and parlia- 1,200 trucks carrying arms and ex- stability is an absolute priority for Libya technically split into two we consider the Paris meetings to mentary elections in Libya. plosives seeking to infiltrate Egypt Tunisia and the region.” functioning states, one in the east be a fruitful contribution to peace- “It backs efforts made by the in the previous two-and-a-half and the other in the west, each of making efforts in Libya.” United Nations for having the elec- years. Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian which has its own institutions; po- However, scepticism is high on tions in Libya,” Shoukry said at a Despite the efforts, Egyptian se- reporter in Cairo. Benchamach elected leader of Morocco’s main opposition party

Saad Guerraoui that Omari confirmed he would step Four people have led PAM in down after a long committee meet- less than ten years as the main op- ing tasked with preparing the ex- position party has sought stability Casablanca traordinary session of the National despite striking progress since its Council to elect a new leader. founding in 2008 by Fouad Ali el- akim Benchamach is the After Benchamach was elected, Himma, a close adviser to Moroccan new leader of Morocco’s he said he would set out a vision King Mohammed VI. main opposition Party of based on collegial management of PAM was second in parliamentary H Authenticity and Moder- the party’s affairs with expanded re- elections in October 2016, finishing nity (PAM). sponsibilities granted to members of behind the PJD, but lost some of its PAM members elected Bencha- the political bureau. political influence to the National mach as their secretary-general dur- Benchamach, a native of the coun- Rally of Independents (RNI), an- ing a special session of the party’s try’s northern Rif area and a former other liberal party favoured by the national council. Benchamach re- leftist activist, will serve as a “mod- palace. ceived 439 votes out of 529. ernist” bulwark against the ruling However, the popularity of RNI, Islamist Justice and Development which is led by Agriculture Minis- (PJD) party, consolidating Omari’s ter Aziz Akhannouch — Morocco’s Benchamach has only two anti-Islamist policy. richest man — is dwindling due to years, a little less, to prepare PAM’s new leader said his party Tough task. New leader of Morocco’s main opposition Party of the boycott campaign against his Af- his party for elections. would remain in opposition. Authenticity and Modernity Hakim Benchamach. (Hakim Benchamach) riquia petrol stations. Hassan Alaoui, director of the Amadi warned that PAM needs Benchamach’s election to lead Maroc Diplomatique, wrote in an reform because it was at risk of im- PAM ends the long chapter of doubt editorial that Benchamach must rec- inevitable political transition,” said chamber of parliament since 2015, plosion. caused by his predecessor, Ilyas el- oncile sensibilities in the party and Alaoui. making him the country’s fourth “Benchamach’s political project is Omari, who led the party from early restore confidence in all those who Political analyst Hicham Amadi most important political figure. based on one sentence: against PJD. 2016. have moved away from it. told Atlantic Radio that Bencha- He served as deputy secretary- It is not a political project. I have a Omari announced his surprise “The marker is now the legislative mach’s election was the result of an general of PAM from February tiny hope to see a real change of the resignation last August but froze it poll of 2021. Benchamach has only agreement to put someone at the 2009-February 2012, chairman of party’s political project,” he said. during a national council session two years, a little less, to prepare his helm of the party until Omari’s likely his party’s parliamentary group the following month, pending an ex- party (for) this fundamental dead- comeback in 2020. (2009-15) and chairman of Yaacoub Saad Guerraoui is a contributor traordinary meeting and leaving the line, in principle supposed to be the Benchamach, who is seen as close El Mansour-Rabat district council to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb party in limbo. It was not until May 8 major and structural issue for an to Omari, has led Morocco’s second from July 2009-August 2015. issues. June 3, 2018 3 News & Analysis Tunisia Tunisia risks political instability with face-off between PM and leader of Nidaa Tounes

Lamine Ghanmi former members of the disbanded ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally party in opposing Ennahda. Tunis The internal conflict raised ques- tions among party members and unisian Prime Minister other anti-Islamists about Nidaa Youssef Chahed was defiant Tounes’ sustainability and whether in the face of powerful rivals it can repair its divisions before next T clamouring for his ouster year’s elections. amid a growing political crisis that is “The political crisis (in the coun- forcing Tunisia to deal with several try) has begun inside Nidaa Tounes. thorny issues at the same time. Nidaa Tounes does not sound like Hafedh Caid Essebsi, the influen- the same party that I joined in 2013,” tial son of the country’s president, said Chahed. leads the secularist Nidaa Tounes “Hafedh Caid Essebsi and his fol- party that backed Chahed as prime lowers have destroyed the party minister two years ago. Now he is at and pushed out all competent mem- the forefront of a campaign to unseat bers. All the structures of the party Chahed. are blocked, which raises questions The Tunisian General Labour Un- about the decision-making within ion (UGTT), which was the leading the party. force in the removal of the Islam- “The decisions from the party do ist bloc from government in 2013, not reflect the genuine willingness of is Caid Essebsi’s de facto ally in the the party’s grass roots and its parlia- dispute with Chahed, the youngest mentarians. It is time to correct the person to be prime minister since trajectory of the party to win back Tunisia’s independence from France the trust of its sympathisers,” he in 1956. said. Chahed is a leading figure in Nidaa Analysts and former leading fig- Tounes, founded by President Beji ures of Nidaa Tounes said Chahed Caid Essebsi in 2012 as a counter- was likely to leave the party to avoid Crisis mode. Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed addresses parliament amid calls to reshuffle weight to the resurgent Islamist En- a bruising political battle within his government, last March. (AFP) nahda party. own party. They said he lacked an The power struggle between organised political force to fight the Hafedh Caid Essebsi and Chahed challenges presented by Hafedh Caid dent Beji Caid Essebsi. They wrapped ment’s main problems are the budg- the government’s implementation of suggests that Nidaa Tounes is a par- Essebsi and the UGTT, which could up discussions May 24, agreeing on et deficit, inflation and cost of living. reforms linked to a $2.9 billion loan. ty in tatters with parliamentarian derail his reform efforts through everything but whether Chahed and Analysts said with Ennahda back- Previous political allies are not as and presidential elections coming stoppages and street protests. his government would implement ing Chahed as prime minister out of publicly supportive of those reforms. in 2019. A unified and strengthened Chahed, however, vowed to stay the 63-point programme. concern for “government stability” The IMF wants Tunisia to cut Nidaa Tounes would likely be the the course and spoke of the need for The UGTT walked out of the talks and the “interests of the country,” no subsidies and trim its bloated pub- backbone of the anti-Islamist camp party reform. and urged Chahed’s removal. Hafedh party has the needed number of seats lic-sector wage bill to address the if Ennahda is to be defeated in the Chahed’s government, the seventh Caid Essebsi listed the government’s in parliament to remove Chahed budget deficit and reduce losses by vote. in eight years, has until recently been “failures” as reason for Chahed to through a vote of no confidence. state-owned companies. “Hafedh Caid Essebsi has de- the most stable coalition since 2011, step down. Much-needed social stability is out The government set a target of 5% stroyed Nidaa Tounes,” said Chahed receiving the support of the main “For us, the government is now of reach due to trade union leaders’ growth by 2020 versus an expected in a televised speech May 29. “Hafedh parties in parliament and leading only a caretaker cabinet. It has lost opposition to Chahed when it is criti- rate of 2.5% this year. It intends to Caid Essebsi and his entourage have civic organisations, including the its meaning and legitimacy as gov- cal for Tunisia to convey an image halve the budget deficit to 3% of ruined everything in Nidaa.” UGTT and the Tunisian Confedera- ernment in the political sense, even of stability for foreign investors and GDP from in 2017. However, reforms “I’m talking about Nidaa because tion of Industry, Trade and Handi- when it does not lose its legitimacy capital markets. needed to hit key growth targets it is the party that is able to create the crafts. in the constitutional and parlia- Tunisia’s Central Bank on May 27 face challenges from the social front, balance on the political landscape Government backers sought to re- mentarian sense,” said senior Nidaa said the country needed to immedi- with the UGTT demanding wage but it is not anymore what it once write state priorities during lengthy Tounes official Khaled Chouket. ately tap into capital markets abroad raises and other concessions. was,” he said. dialogues under the watch of Presi- Chahed, in an apparent response to sell $1.16 billion in bonds to cover “The escalation from (the) UGTT Chahed is the first senior govern- to the criticism, said: I “will not shirk the country’s budget deficit and re- will begin with a spate of strikes in ment official to assail Hafedh Caid my responsibilities.” plenish dwindling foreign currency an attrition war in parallel to nego- Essebsi’s party leadership. The presi- He says Tunisia “is in a crisis” and reserves. tiations over wage raises that their dent’s son was criticised by former A lack of confidence in will proceed with reforms, suggest- A lack of confidence in the govern- outcomes are known in advance Nidaa Tounes officials after they left the government’s ing another government reshuffle. ment’s stability translates into high- because of the situation of the gov- to form their own parties and allianc- stability translates into “The government has succeeded er interest rates for debt holders and ernment budget,” predicted Hafedh es, weakening the main anti-Islamist higher interest rates for in some fields, namely the security more difficulties in selling bonds. Ghribi, editor-in-chief of the news political force in the country. debt holders and more situation and the improvement of As the political crisis within Nidaa website Assabah News. Nidaa Tounes won the elections the growth rate, but the performance Tounes dominated the news, a team for both the presidency and the par- difficulties in selling is not as positive as it should be,” from the International Monetary Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly liament in 2014. It unified leftists and bonds. Chahed said, adding that the govern- Fund (IMF) visited Tunis to assess correspondent in Tunis. Closer integration of Tunisia with Europe to include agriculture

Lamine Ghanmi representatives to the talks, which sectors to be integrated and the pace enues, especially for small farms,” ence leader, Habib Bourguiba, from began May 28 and are likely to ex- of negotiations,” EU Commissioner said Tunisian Agriculture Ministry the coastal town of Monastir, con- tend through 2019. for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos, a for- Director General Abdelhamid Gas- tinued the pattern. Tunis Expanding ties with the European mer Romanian prime minister, said mi. The government of his succes- Union is crucial for Tunisia, which during a conference on EU-Tunisian “Tunisia has demanded, and will sor, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, also unisia, facing lingering so- has the highest rate of economic in- trade links. demand, accompanying measures encouraged investment in tourism cial and economic prob- tegration with the European Union for agriculture during the transi- and manufacturing industries along lems, has begun talks to in the Maghreb. Much of Tunisia’s tional period, which could last for the coast. T further link its economy and service, industry and tourism sec- more than 10 years.” Coastal highways are wide and society with the European Union tors depend on European markets. 82% The Tunisian Forum for Eco- well-built to accommodate tourist through a Deep and Comprehensive Since 1995, when a limited Tuni- nomic and Social Rights, an NGO, buses and vehicles heading to the Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). sian-EU free trade agreement was of farmers fear said: “Many jobs will be lost in ser- area’s major hotels. Further west The DCFTA involves integrating signed, Tunisia has tripled exports the DCFTA would vices and agriculture as they can and north-west, drivers travel along Tunisia’s economy, including its to the European bloc and the Eu- benefit only large withstand competition with similar narrow, ill-maintained roads. farming sector, with the European ropean Union has doubled exports sectors in European Union. Some Ciolos, who experienced Tuni- Union. Tunisia’s long-neglected to Tunisia. The country is home to farming operations farming segments will disappear sia’s fears and hopes of connecting farmers contend with growing com- 3,000 small and medium-sized Eu- that have easy because of the competition widen- to EU markets first-hand, urged Tu- petition from the European market ropean enterprises. access to bank loans ing Tunisia’s food reliance on im- nisians to “overcome fear and ide- and the agricultural sector needs re- For European leaders, close ties and markets. ports like cereals. ology and take (DCFTA) as a mile- form, officials said. to Tunisia, which is seen as a rare “If no measures were taken, in- stone on a path of development and Tunisian Chief Negotiator Hichem democratic success story in the re- vestments will go to north-eastern progress. Ben Ahmed said 12 technical items gion, are political and diplomatic “These kinds of negotiations re- regions and accentuate the regional “Protectionism for some sectors had been discussed, including the assets. Its location at the crossroads quire carrying out studies of assess- inequalities,” it added. for lack of competitiveness does free movement of people. of Europe and Africa gives it an edge ment on society and territory,” he Analysts and politicians said re- not work in today’s world,” he said. “The previous accord with the in international trade. added. gional inequality is a driver of so- “Which model for agriculture do European Union does not include Analysts said the onus is on the An opinion poll released ahead of cial unrest in the Tunisian interior, you want to build over the next 10 agriculture and services. With Tunisian side, with fears that po- the talks stated that 82% of Tuni- which is less developed than coastal or 15 years? Answer to this question (DFCTA), they will be on the table litical instability and the lack of a sian farmers asked said they feared areas. and then think about (DCFTA). You of negotiations,” he said. “For us, national consensus about reforms the DCFTA would benefit only large This disparity has existed since have to think and negotiate big.” we cannot talk about a free services could cause it miss economic op- farming operations that have easy Tunisia’s independence from Agriculture in Tunisia has grown sector while we do not permit the portunities. access to bank loans and markets. France in 1956. Pre-independence an average 3% a year over the past free movement of professionals and “These negotiations are a mo- “The farming sector is still less authorities built ports, a railway 20 years, accounting for 11% of GDP. capital.” ment of truth because the country attractive for Tunisians because of network and roads in coastal re- It employs 18% of the labour force Several civic associations sent has to pick the right selection of the its declining profits and falling rev- gions. Tunisia’s first post-independ- and represents 8% of total exports. 4 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf Yemeni forces, Saudi-led coalition prepare for Hodeidah battle

Saleh Baidhani

Sana’a

he Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen could soon lose control of the most impor- T tant territory under their control as pro-government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, moved within 13km of the port city of Hodeidah in preparation for a large-scale assault. Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said: “The purpose is to return the city back to the le- gitimate government of Yemen. Our operations are ongoing. Our goal is to cut the vein that the Hou- this are benefiting from.” The Saudi-funded Al Arabiya news channel reported that coali- tion forces seized heavy weaponry and rockets from the Houthi militia and that fighting was taking place May 30 near Hodeidah airport.

Pro-government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, moved within 13km of the port city of Hodeidah in preparation for a large-scale assault.

Al Arabiya said the rebels “sud- denly withdrew” from checkpoints they had set up when they entered Hodeidah province. Make-or-break battle. Yemeni pro-government fighters stand on a road leading to the town of Khokha, about 120km south of Hodeidah. (AFP) Sources in Yemen said Houthi militias suffered “unprecedented” losses, including the bulk of the the outskirts of Hodeidah to slow turing Hodeidah, “the last major Last December, US Ambassador move forward. elite “Brigades of Hussein” after the coalition advance. port city under Houthi control,” to the United Nations Nikki Haley “The Iranians are now at least coalition forces destroyed rein- The Hodeidah offensive had would mean the rebels “lose the presented the UN Security Coun- recognising there is a channel. forcement convoys. been delayed because of UN con- ability to receive Iranian weapons cil with what she described as ir- They obviously aren’t saying they The military sources said, as gov- cerns over the possible humani- and thus the beginning of the end refutable proof of Iran supplying control the Houthis and they never ernment troops and Arab coalition tarian effects. The Yemeni govern- of their grip on the country.” Houthi rebels with weaponry. will but they recognise they have forces edged closer to Hodeidah, ment and the Saudi-led coalition Coalition forces and their allies A European official, speaking a certain influence on them and the Houthis began looting state in- have called for the port to be put claim Hodeidah is the Houthis’ on condition of anonymity, told ready to use those channels. That’s stitutions, transferring funds and under the control of international main source of weapons smuggling Thomson Reuters: “The Iranians new.” equipment to Sana’a and Mahwit monitors. from Iran and has been instrumen- have given indications that they governorates. Newly recruited An editorial in the United Arab tal in upgrading the rebels’ military are now willing to offer their ser- Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly tribesmen have taken positions on Emirates’ Gulf News said that cap- capabilities. vices to liaise with the Houthis to contributor in Sana’a. Viewpoint Tehran plays the Yemen card

nder pressure from attempt to solve it.” the United States “The crisis in Yemen, in par- and trying hard ticular, the human dimension of Ali Alfoneh to persuade the it, has reached catastrophic levels European Union of and we are witnessing the silent its willingness to death of an entire nation,” Ansari Uplay a positive regional role, Iran said: “One of the regional goals of is signalling interest in a ceasefire the Islamic Republic of Iran is to in Yemen. try to end this crisis.” It is unclear whether Tehran Ansari made his comments May is sacrificing its Houthi allies to 30 but an unnamed European of- keep the Iran nuclear deal or if ficial had already provided more negotiations are meant to gain details to Reuters a day before. time to reverse Houthi setbacks. The official said: “The Iranians However, it’s clear the European have given indications that they Union truly wants to believe are now willing to offer their ser- Tehran’s good intentions. vices to liaise with the Houthis to US President Donald Trump and move forward.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo The official added: “The Irani- have consistently condemned ans are now at least recognising Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile there is a channel. They obviously activities, its military presence in Desperate manoeuvring. (L-R) EU foreign policy chief Federica aren’t saying they control the the Middle East and involvement Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Houthis and they never will but in the civil war in Yemen. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign they recognise they have a certain The last has become a major Minister Heiko Maas and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson influence on them and ready to point of contention between pose during a meeting in Brussels, on May 15. (AP) use those channels. That’s new.” Tehran and Washington. Initially, What neither Ansari nor the Tehran dismissed Washington’s anonymous European official allegations but, last November, Is- ingness to solve regional crises. Germany and Italy and only do so pointed out was that Tehran ap- lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Tehran wants the European Union because of the dire humanitarian pears to be willing to sacrifice the (IRGC) commander Major-General to be a protective shield against situation. This negotiation is com- Houthis to ensure the Europeans Mohammad Ali Jafari surprisingly the United States and needed to pletely detached from the nuclear serve as a protective shield against acknowledged that Iran provided make an affordable concession to negotiations.” the United States. After all, if Teh- “advisory assistance” to its allies the Europeans. Also in late May, an Iranian ran considers the war in Yemen in Yemen. That concession was Yemen. delegation led by another deputy a lost cause, abandoning the After Washington’s abrogation Foreign Ministry spokesman foreign minister, Hossein Jaberi Houthis would be a small sacrifice. of the Iran nuclear agreement and Bahram Qassemi on May 8 an- Ansari, arrived in Rome. It met However, it may not only keep Tehran appears to European attempts to salvage nounced Tehran’s willingness to with an EU delegation led by the nuclear deal alive, Tehran’s whatever possible of the deal, Iran engage in talks with the European Helga Schmid, secretary-general manoeuvre could gain the Houthis be willing to is facing demands to curtail its Union about Yemen. However, the of the European External Ac- valuable time to improve their sacrifice the nuclear activities, severely limit Yemen negotiations are being por- tion Service. Negotiations took fortunes. Houthis to ensure its ballistic missile programme trayed as separate from the fate of place behind closed doors but it’s Europe, at any rate, desperately and minimise its regional military the Iran nuclear deal. known that talks revolved around seems to want to believe. the Europeans serve presence and ambitions. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister developments in Yemen. as a protective Iran is unwilling or unable to ac- Abbas Araghchi said during a May Ansari told Islamic Republic of Ali Alfoneh is a non-resident commodate all of those demands 27 news conference: “We dis- Iran Broadcasting the talks served senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri shield against the but appears interested in persuad- cuss the issue of Yemen with the the purpose of “investigating the Centre for the Middle East at the United States. ing the European Union of its will- four countries of France, Britain, scope of the crisis in Yemen in an Atlantic Council. June 3, 2018 5 NewsDebate & Analysis QatarGulf A year on, no end in sight for Qatar boycott

Mohammed Alkhereiji

fter 12 turbulent months, hopes for a quick end of the Qatar boycott by four Arab countries have been dashed and all indicatorsA point towards a long and unwavering estrangement. A year ago, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic and economic ties, including closing shared borders, sea routes and air- space, with Qatar. They had com- plained of Doha’s alleged support of Islamist terrorist groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as its ties with Iran. The so-called Arab Quartet made 13 demands that Qatar needed to comply with for the sanctions to be lifted. The demands included Beyond formal membership. The flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. (AFP) shutting down Al Jazeera media network, severing links to radical groups and downgrading ties with The crown prince also compared UAE said the new committee would achievements is suffering due to Iran. the dispute to the 60-year US coordinate between the UAE and Statements the boycott. In an interview with Ahead of the annual Arab League embargo of Cuba, which was likely Saudi Arabia “all military, political, London’s Telegraph newspaper, summit in April, the Arab Quartet’s unsettling to Qatari officials hoping economic, trade and cultural fields, from Gulf Qatar Airways CSO Akbar al-Baker, foreign ministers stressed their for a speedy resolution. as well as others, in the interest of officials who has headed the airline since “firm position on the necessity The pace of regional change has the two countries.” 1997, admitted that if the boycott of Qatar’s fulfilling the list of 13 not helped Qatar. Most of the coun- Analysts said the 12-month boy- throughout by the quartet of countries is not demands.” tries involved in the dispute have cott has had minimal effect on the the last lifted, Qatar Airways would seek Despite international efforts to been initiating economic and social Arab Quartet’s economies. year out government financial support. mediate a solution, the situation reform programmes in addition to “The consequences of a long- “If this blockade continues then has not improved. Doha recently addressing terrorism and the threat term estrangement are asymmet- suggest I’m sure that the government made the cosmetic move of ban- posed by Iran’s expansionism. ric: The quartet is not suffering the will be prepared to inject capital ning imports from the Arab Quartet The boycott has had an adverse nearly as much as Qatar is,” Mo- because Qatar Airways is a very and strengthened its relations with effect on Qatar’s economy and hammed Alyahya, a non-resident dispute important economic tool,” he said. Iran. members of the Gulf Cooperation fellow at the Atlantic Council think- has fallen Qatar Airways had been consid- Statements from Gulf officials Council (GCC), of which Qatar, tank told the Financial Times, in priority ered one of the most successful throughout the last year suggest Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain which reported that Doha has had companies in the aviation industry. the dispute has fallen in priority are members, are looking outside to repatriate billions of dollars from for the Some analysts say Qatar will for the Arab Quartet. Saudi Crown the traditional confines of the bloc its portfolio overseas to bolster its Arab push for a compromise as the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin for opportunities. economy. 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches, Abdulaziz told Egyptian media in Non-energy sector trade between Qatar’s real GDP growth dropped Quartet. needing to pull out all the stops to March that the issue was “trivial.” the UAE and Qatar was expected to from 2.2% to 1.6% in the last year, guarantee its success. Until then, He dismissed Qatar as “smaller deteriorate following an announce- stated a report by the Economist, it is likely that Doha’s relationship than a Cairo street.” ment last December that the UAE which stressed that the dispute with the Arab Quartet will continue and Saudi Arabia would establish “will prevent any meaningful to deteriorate. a military and trade partnership surge in growth in the coming The pace of regional change outside the auspices of the GCC. years.” Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf has not helped Qatar. An official statement from the One of Qatar’s economic section editor of The Arab Weekly. Doha’s attitude keeps it isolated from neighbours

include six broad principles they A recent example of Doha’s plomacy did not end Qatar’s crisis wanted Qatar to affirm — such as desperation was a decision by Qatar has because Doha did not address its combating terrorism and ending the Qatari Ministry of Economy taken reasons and instead focused on the Iman Zayat provocation and incitement. and Commerce to ban the sale of desperate media and on festivities,” Gargash Doha failed to meet even the imported products from Saudi measures to wrote on Twitter on May 28. most basic principles set out for it. Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, present itself “Paid festivals are merely an ne year after the Instead, the Gulf country resorted Bahrain and Egypt. The move is as strong and echo that can be purchased. It is dispute between to publicity stunts and half-baked purely symbolic because imports far more important to win over Qatar and four Arab mediation attempts to attract me- from those countries were virtu- independent. your neighbour and your sur- countries began, the dia attention. It was unwilling to ally cut off when the embargo roundings by ending your harmful chasm between the give in to the quartet’s demands of began last year. Only a few goods behaviour towards them. Wisdom two sides appears to severing ties with Islamist-leaning reached Qatar via Oman and other is easy and direct; anything else is Obe widening, dividing US allies factions, including the Muslim third-parties. just a costly maze,” he said. when Washington is seeking to Brotherhood and more violen­ t Doha’s recent move exposes the Unwilling to make concessions, build a stronger regional alliance radical groups, and handing over Qatari regime’s growing frustration Qatar is embarrassing itself and against Iran and Islamist extrem- “terrorist figures,” fugitives and with smuggling activities. The rise its Kuwaiti neighbour, which has ism. wanted individuals to their coun- in smuggling shows that Qataris, gone through pains to mediate a Despite efforts to engage Qatar, tries of origin. despite the embargo, prefer Arab resolution. Qatar has also strained the Doha regime appears intent Even with a flurry of diplomatic products they are accustomed to Washington, which is trying to in- on embarrassing itself, its people efforts led first by Kuwait and then rather than imports from countries crease pressure on Tehran follow- and the countries that are trying by the United States, little progress such as Turkey and Iran. A few ing US President Donald Trump’s to mediate a solution to the worst has been made to resolve the cri- days before Qatar’s decision to ban withdrawal from the Iran nuclear crisis in the history of the Gulf sis, meaning that it could drag on Arab imports, a viral video showed deal on May 8. Cooperation Council (GCC), which for a long time or intensify. a Qatari national overjoyed after US Secretary of State Mike includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Kuwait, which has led several receiving a Vimto soft drink smug- Pompeo told Qatari Foreign Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United mediation efforts to narrow the gled in from Saudi Arabia. Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Arab Emirates. gap between Qatar and the Arab Those most affected by the crisis Abdulrahman al-Thani in a phone On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, Quartet, is concerned that the have been the Qatari people, who conversation May 16 that the the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut countries may have reached an have seen their country fall from United States wanted “to see the diplomatic and transport ties with impasse. grace in the Arab region and align Gulf dispute eased and eventually Qatar, accusing it of supporting Today, Qatar is still marching to more closely with Iran and Turkey, resolved, as it benefits Iran.” terrorism and allying with regional the beat of its own drum, pushing which have historically been at However, given the relatively foe Iran. its state-funded news agency Al Ja- odds with the Arab region. measured response to Qatar’s The four countries presented zeera to regularly voice support for UAE Minister of State for Foreign obstinacy, it has little incentive to Doha with a list of 13 non-negotia- extremist groups and criticise Arab Affairs Anwar Gargash, comment- make significant concessions. This ble demands to lift the blockade. countries, notably Saudi Arabia ing on the plight of Qatari citizens, might push the Arab Quartet to The list included shutting down a and Egypt — but not Doha itself. said: “The principal lesson of one pressure Doha to go to the negoti- Turkish military base in Qatar and Qatar has taken desperate year of the crisis and isolation is ating table. If that doesn’t happen closing Al Jazeera news network. measures to present itself as strong the interest of the people should and no solution to the dispute is The quartet revised the list to and independent: From engaging take precedence over an impossi- brokered, the crisis could esca- in a showdown in the skies with ble political ambition.” late into something more serious, unarmed Bahraini and Emirati “A Western journalist told me which Washington and Kuwait Unwilling to make concessions, civilian planes to investing mil- that press delegations were head- would find difficult to contain. lions in public relations firms and ing to Doha on paid holidays to Qatar is embarrassing itself and media propaganda to challenge the attend Qatar’s celebrations of one Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor its Kuwaiti neighbour. quartet. year of isolation. The immobile di- of The Arab Weekly. 6 June 3, 2018 Opinion

Editorial Europe’s response to the migration issue

hether it is French Presi- dent Emmanuel Macron receiving a Malian illegal migrant at the Elysee Palace to honour him for rescuing a toddler from near death or Hungary Wpondering new constitutional restrictions on migrants and asylum seekers, every week in Europe brings migration-related front-page news. In central Europe, in particular, migration is a catalyst for the rise of populism. Governments in Hungary, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have adopted a high-decibel approach to the issue of outsiders. Austria’s conservative chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, for instance, recently called on Frontex, the European border protection agency, to operate from within North Africa. By the Austrian leader’s reasoning, Frontex agents should no longer just patrol the borders of the Schengen area of 26 European states with a common visa policy. Instead, Frontex must operate in countries outside the European Union as well to “stop illegal migrants on the external borders, tend to them and then ideally send them immediately back to their home country or transit country.” At best, this is an unworkable plan. The © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Maghreb countries are doing their best to curb the unceasing flow of illegal migrants. They are unlikely to relinquish sovereignty over border Hamas is impervious to change control to European patrols. The same issues were raised by human rights groups about Italy’s 9-month-old naval mis- sion, which is supposed to assist the Libyan Khairallah Khairallah Coast Guard in the “fight against illegal immi- All that Hamas wants from Israel is an extended truce so gration and human smuggling.” The arbitrary and unsafe detention of that it can strengthen its control on Gaza. migrants after interception by European border patrols is not an acceptable option. n Gaza, Hamas and Islamic ron’s senior adviser, Dov Weiss- mas suddenly became interested Despite resistance from the rest of the Jihad are behaving as if noth- glass, to the Israeli daily Haaretz. in just lifting the blockade. Let’s European Union and from Austria’s opposition ing has changed for 51 years. Weissglass explained that the think about that. Can Hamas’s parties, Austria’s conservative government has That was when the Arab Israeli “disengagement plan” from military might match that of Israel declared its intention to slash benefits to side was defeated in the 1967 Gaza was intended to freeze the such that it allows it to negotiate a refugees. It plans to do this by introducing war. During all this time, peace process and give Israel the long truce? German language proficiency as a condition to Isome people adapted to changing opportunity to focus on colonising It is true that Israel might be in- receive assistance from the state. circumstances but others refused the West Bank and East Jerusalem. terested in an extended truce with The Austrian stance on migration will have a to learn anything from that defeat. Israel, at that time, could not Hamas because that would drive it ripple effect in Europe. In July, Austria takes Had Hamas and Islamic Jihad have cared less about occupying a separation wedge between Gaza over the rotating presidency of the European learnt from such bitter experi- the Gaza Strip and was ready to let and the West Bank but who would Council. It will be in a good place to influence ences, they would have probably it rot at any time. guarantee that more advanced the European Union’s agenda. It’s entirely likely taken a different path to working In negotiations leading to the missiles will not end up in Gaza that Vienna will seek to bolster the policies towards lifting the illegal and 1993 Oslo agreement, Yasser Arafat during the truce? espoused by its ideological brothers in govern- brutal Israeli blockade of the Gaza insisted that Israel must withdraw To make things worse, the Iran- ment across central Europe. Strip that has been in place for from both Gaza and Jericho in the backed Islamic Jihad movement in Meanwhile, the tragedy of lives lost and the more than 10 years. It needs to West Bank at the same time. He Gaza took part in the last missile demonisation of a whole people continues. The be lifted now rather than to keep was always keen on keeping Gaza campaign against Israel from Gaza. United Nations said 636 migrants have died giving Israel excuses for maintain- and the West Bank together as one Islamic Jihad takes orders directly trying to cross the Mediterranean this year. ing it. package in any peace negotiations. from Iran and Hamas is often That figure represents a painful reality -- the Let’s be clear about the “Free- Israel would have been happy to willing to go along with Iranian pitiful hopes nursed by far too many for a better dom Boat” incident at the end of drop Gaza anytime and let the sea objectives. life. That figure includes the 383 who drowned May. Sending people seeking med- wash it away. Clearly, Hamas’s In any case, Hamas is not in a po- en route from North Africa to Italy and the 217 ical attention abroad and students actions in Gaza have added weight sition to negotiate for an extended who died as they headed from the shores of the wanting to join their universities to this kind of thinking that had truce. It refuses to learn from the Maghreb to Spain. on a fishing boat to Cyprus will found its most brutal expression school of hard knocks and lives on Yet, from Europe’s populists, there is no not succeed in breaching Israel’s in the inhumane blockade against the ideological fantasies fed by the recognition of the sheer desperation that drives maritime blockade of Gaza nor will Gaza. Muslim Brotherhood. people to make dangerous choices. it stop the siege. One can’t deny that Hamas fell Hamas needs to look for another Even so, it’s worth noting one positive trend What will end the blockade is head first into Israel’s trap. Hamas approach to breaking the Gaza in this tragic story: The migration flow is common sense. Common sense, wants to turn Gaza into a military blockade. This blockade is no ebbing. Arrivals via the Mediterranean are less however, says that firing a missile base with the purpose of liberating longer politically useful to it any- than half of last year. To be sure, thousands still at Israel from Gaza is good news the Palestinian territories “from way. Gazan society has undergone make the perilous journey. In fact, approxi- only to Binyamin Netanyahu. the sea to the river” but it has significant changes because of the mately 26,000 made the dangerous crossing to Similar incidents gave former only succeeded in transforming blockade and the social situation Europe in the first 136 days of 2018. However, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon life in Gaza into a tragedy. Now in Gaza could explode in Hamas’s the numbers are definitely falling. an excuse to decide to withdraw all that Hamas wants from Israel face. Hamas needs to maintain its Of course, they are not likely to zero out any Israeli troops from Gaza in the is an extended truce so that it can relations with Egypt and, there- time soon. The Middle East and Africa offer summer of 2005 so he could get a strengthen its control on Gaza af- fore, must give up the dream of limited job prospects and few opportunities to better grip on the West Bank and ter it had turned it into a Taliban- turning Gaza into a back base for their overwhelmingly youthful populations. East Jerusalem. type Islamic emirate. the Muslim Brotherhood. The Libyan crisis, with its myriad complexities, This is what was learnt from a With the fall of the Muslim We are by no means asking will continue. The May 29 Paris meeting lengthy interview given by Sha- Brotherhood in Egypt in 2013, Ha- Hamas to surrender to Israel. We brought together four key Libyan leaders and only want it to remember there produced an ambitious plan for national are means to lift the blockade on elections in December that will not be easy to Gaza other than missiles, weapons implement but a sustainable formula for ending and tunnels. True, the Palestinian strife and restoring government authority will Authority is arranging the transi- have to be eventually found there. tion to post-Abbas era in the West Europe’s politicians should explore long-term Bank. That is why Majed Faraj, solutions that address the root of the problem, head of Palestinian Authority intel- not just expedient responses. Some of the real ligence, met with Mike Pompeo in solutions have to do with helping establish the Washington when the latter was conditions for peace, stability and economic still head of the CIA. opportunity in Africa and the Arab world. One word summarises Hamas’s Part of the solution could be to expand legal policy in Gaza: bankruptcy. An es- channels for temporary migration to Europe. calation leading to a new military That would work to mutual benefit. As the confrontation with Israel is not the leading French socialist MP Valerie Rabault best political choice. Any war with points out, France needs 300,000 migrants a Israel will be lost before it starts. year and a total of 10 million by 2040. The new Hamas claimed that it had given arrivals are “indispensable to regenerate the up Muslim Brotherhood ideology population,” she says. but obviously it hasn’t. Organised migration could be in the common Time warp. A 2007 file photo shows militants from Hamas taking interest of both shores of the Mediterranean. positions outside the Preventive Security headquarters after they Khairallah Khairallah is a took it over from Fatah loyalist security forces in Gaza City. (AP) Lebanese writer. June 3, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] Can the heroic act of the Paris ‘Spider-Man’ www.thearabweekly.com change the perception of migrants? Published by Al Arab Publishing House Rashmee Roshan Lall Publisher As someone who left Mali for Europe by sneaky back and Group Executive Editor routes, Gassama is part of a persistent European problem. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD amoudou sentence for entering France Editor-in-Chief Gassama, illegally. Unlike Donald Trump’s the Malian controversial family-sundering Oussama Romdhani undocumented policy for migrants to the migrant feted United States, the children of Managing Editor by France for migrants to France are allowed Iman Zayat Mhis heroism, epitomises the to be kept in detention with many sides of the fraught Euro- their parents. Critics say that is Deputy Managing Editor pean debate about refugees. hardly better than the United and Online Editor An able-bodied young man States because migrants are still Mamoon Alabbasi who told the mayor of Paris treated by the French state as he dreamed “of building his criminals. Senior Editor life here (in France),” Gassama In this context, what effect John Hendel clearly falls into the category of can a single heroic act by one an economic migrant. migrant have on the agonised Chief Copy Editor As someone who left Mali for French debate? Perhaps noth- Richard Pretorius Europe by sneaky back routes ing at all, beyond a day or two. — travelling via Libya through Three years ago, another young Copy Editor Italy into France — Gassama is Malian Muslim, Lassana Bath- Stephen Quillen part of a persistent European ily, courageously hid customers problem. His journey by boat in a cold-storage room during a Analysis Section Editor terrorist attack on a kosher su- across the Mediterranean sug- Fortune favours the bold. French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with Ed Blanche gests probable collusion with permarket in eastern Paris. He Mamoudou Gassama at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 28. (AFP) people smugglers. His 4-year received a French passport and East/West Section Editor stay in Italy was probably well a medal but the demonisation Mark Habeeb under the official radar. French the European bloc’s statistical accelerated French citizenship. of migrants continued. authorities may never have office. Gassama makes flesh Unless something goes griev- Now there is Gassama’s Gulf Section Editor known Gassama entered their what a respected Oxbridge clas- ously wrong with the script, reflexive human response to an Mohammed Alkhereiji country in September had sicist once said of the ceaseless Gassama can now expect to live impending human tragedy. By he not shot to national and flow towards Europe: “We are his dream. scaling the Paris building with Society and Travel international prominence with sold the idea of a refugee as He is, as French President no thought to his own life, that Sections Editor a single act of bravery. a tiny child sitting crying, as Emmanuel Macron pointed Malian undocumented migrant Samar Kadi From his late teens, Gassama, a way of raising money, but out, “the exception (not) the showed France he was part of 22, has self-evidently been a elderly ladies and kids largely rule.” France, like other Euro- the same tribe, if from a differ- Syria and Lebanon consciously stateless person. can’t move. The demographic pean countries, is engaged in ent geographic place. Section Editor He was someone who added is mostly young men.” To Eu- an increasingly bitter argument As Raphael Glucksmann, Simon Speakman Cordall to the weary statistics com- ropean officials, Gassama was about the state’s responsibili- managing editor of a literary piled every year by the Euro- not a refugee but an unwanted ties and the rights of outsiders, magazine, wrote after Gas- Contributing Editor pean Border and Coast Guard migrant worker, most probably migrants and refugees. Inte- sama’s extraordinary feat: “I Rashmee Roshan Lall Agency, also known as Frontex. without discernible skills. rior Minister Gerard Collomb dream of a country where it In 2015 and 2016, a few years Then came Gassama’s selfless has been pursuing a hard-line wouldn’t be necessary to scale Senior Correspondents after Gassama must have made act of May 26. He scaled a Paris policy to evacuate makeshift a building to save the life of a Mahmud el-Shafey (London) what Frontex calls an illegal building to save a 4-year-old migrant camps in Paris, while child, at the risk of one’s own Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) crossing, more than 2.3 million child hanging from a fourth- the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, life, to be treated like a human such people were detected on floor balcony. That death- argues against it. being when you are a migrant.” Regular Columnists the European Union’s external defying climb, up and up, was In a move to tighten im- One would hope it is a dream Claude Salhani borders. captured on video and went migration policy, the French shared by many. Yavuz Baydar Unless he was able to dodge viral on social media. Gas- National Assembly passed a officialdom altogether, Gas- sama acquired the moniker “Le tough law in April that shortens Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Correspondents sama must have been one of Spider-Man,” saved the child, asylum application deadlines, columnist for The Arab Weekly. Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) the 2.2 million people said to be was heaped with praise, won a doubles the time for which il- Her blog can be found at Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) illegally present in the Euro- meeting with the French presi- legal migrants can be detained www.rashmee.com and she is Roua Khlifi (Tunis) pean Union in 2015 by Eurostat, dent, a job as a firefighter and and introduces a 1-year prison on Twitter: @rashmeerl. Thomas Seibert (Washington) Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi Tunisia’s impasse and failed political class Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir Wissam Hamdi Hanen Jebali Tunisia’s opposition has confined itself to fighting narrow political battles and has Al Arab Publishing House limited itself to one goal: bringing down the opponent by any means necessary. Quadrant Building 177-179 Hammersmith Road London W6 8BS unisian Prime initiated by Caid Essebsi offer an alternative agenda for important component: a strong Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 Minister Youssef and including the governing the country, an agenda that opposition capable of absorb- Fax: (+44) 20 8846 9520 Chahed, during a coalition and several other citizens can identify with and ing potential crises even if it televised address parties, reached a dead end. rally behind. remains outside the circles of May 29, appeared It was suspended when the The opposition parties that power. self-confident and main partners of the govern- saw the light after the Tunisian The two major parties of Contributions Tready for battle. He seemed to ment coalition failed to reach a revolution in 2011 or those that the governing coalition, Nidaa and Editorial Queries possess enough trump cards consensus on the political fate have close ties to the Muslim Tounes and the Ennahda [email protected] to carry on with his mission of the head of the government Brotherhood, like the Congress Movement, have cornered with ease. He was relying on — Chahed. At the same time, for the Republic party of for- themselves. Similarly, the op- the support of a good number opposition parties could not mer Tunisian President Moncef position, in addition to lacking of partisan blocs in parliament come up with an acceptable Marzouki, seem unable to re- a clear alternative vision for the Tunis Office and did not shy away from alternative to Chahed. new and change their populist country’s future, has confined Tel: (+ 216) 71 669 174 invoking the ghost of inter- There are more than 200 op- discourse, which is no longer itself to fighting narrow politi- Tel: (+216) 71 669 175 national lenders, such as the position parties in Tunisia. Yet, convincing to most Tunisians. cal battles and has limited itself International Money Fund, or followers of Tunisian politics Tunisians have had enough of to one goal: bringing down the insinuating the possibility of are hard-pressed to find real hearing about “the revolution opponent by any means neces- going public with the war on political initiatives, even by and the counter-revolution” sary. corruption. the opposition, that can forge over and over since 2011. The opposition’s vision for However, the political crisis a way out of the political crisis. Since the 2014 elections the next political phase in in Tunisia has deepened so Besides suggesting obscure in Tunisia, the country has Tunisia has been limited to US Publisher: much that all major players, in- figures as replacements for been rocked by minor political issuing weak political state- Ibrahim Zobeidi cluding Tunisian President Beji Chahed, the opposition had no earthquakes in the form of gov- ments. This opposition seems Caid Essebsi, are unable to find alternative programme for the ernment changes or political content with being caught up (248) 803 1946 a way out of the dead end. country. initiatives, most coming from with the national trade union. The grim prospects of a The Tunisian opposition Caid Essebsi. The Tunisian General Labour paralysing political crisis and in general and the Popular On those occasions, opposi- Union, however, is a partner in of an uncertain future are clear Front and Machrou Tounes tion parties did nothing but the Carthage Agreement along signs of the failure of Tunisia’s in particular seem unable to protest for the sake of protest- with the coalition parties. political class, including the let go of their ideologies. The ing. No alternative agendas or The power equation in Tu- Subscription & Advertising: opposition. None of the parties reason is simple: Since the visions for the country were nisia remains lopsided. There Mohamed Al Mufti outside the circle of power beginning, these parties have put forward. These parties is no counterbalancing force. [email protected] have presented themselves narrowed their actions and seem to be stuck in a phase of This represents a serious threat Tel: (+44) 20 8742 9262 as reliable alternatives whom choices to simply opposing the denial, refusing to accept the to the development of true citizens can trust with running Islamist Ennahda Movement voting outcomes of the 2014 democracy in Tunisia. the country’s affairs. and have failed to delve deeply elections. What this ultimately The political process known into the country’s problems. means is that Tunisia’s nascent Wissam Hamdi is a Tunisian as the Carthage negotiations, No wonder they could not democracy is missing an journalist. 8 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Iraq Iraqi post-election horse-trading in full swing

Mamoon Alabbasi

London

op Iraqi politicians, includ- ing those supposedly on opposing ideological sides, T have begun meetings to discuss forming governing allianc- es after the country’s parliamen- tary election results were released. The electoral list that secured the most parliamentary seats, 54, was the Marching Towards Reform alliance, backed by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Sadr’s main competitor is the Conquest Alliance, led by former Shia militia- man Hadi al-Amiri, which claimed 47 seats. Neither list can form a govern- ment on its own, as that requires controlling at least 165 of the 329 parliamentary seats. Both groups began wooing the Victory Alliance, led by Prime Minister Haider al- Abadi, which won the third most — 42 — number of seats. Amiri’s list is likely to be joined by its political ally, the Shia-led State of Law coalition, headed by Vice-President Nuri al-Maliki, which secured 26 seats. Both lists are staunchly backed by Iran. Al-Sadr’s list is likely to be joined by the Shia-led National Wisdom Movement, headed by Ammar al- Hakim, which won 19 seats. A governing Shia-led coalition would need the inclusion of Kurd- ish and Sunni lists. Opposing poli- ticians who indicated during the Courting phase. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (R) and Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speak at a news conference in the heavily campaign that they would not be fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, on May 20. (Iraqi Government) working together appear willing to join forces to be part of the govern- ment, even if it’s led by one of their are willing to join forces with. party, led by businessman Khamis alliance with Amiri would be had Al-Sadr appears confident of nemeses. Small Kurdish parties, including al-Khanjar. his list not included Khazali. Al- his success in shaping the next The National Alliance, which is the Change Movement, indicated Al-Sadr has ruled out forming Sadr has had a post-election meet- government. He made an unan- dominated by Sunnis and secular they would not form alliances with an alliance with Amiri and Maliki. ing with Amiri. nounced visit to Kuwait, which his figures and is led by Vice-President the KDP or PUK, which they accuse His objection to Maliki is based on It would, nevertheless, be diffi- office said was aimed at “improv- Ayad Allawi, said it was willing of corruption and voter fraud. allegations of corruption, led by al- cult for Amiri to disassociate him- ing relations” between the two to work with former foes such as There are reports that the KDP Sadr’s supporters. self from Khazali, not just because countries. He has met with the am- Amiri and Maliki. is reluctant to be part of a coali- the two share a pro-Iran ideology: bassadors of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, tion that keeps Abadi as the prime Out of the 47 seats secured by the Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. The same sentiment was ex- Al-Sadr’s list is likely to be pressed by the Kurdistan Demo- minister, which is a very likely Conquest Alliance, 14 were report- The horse trading comes dur- cratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud outcome should there be an alli- joined by the Shia-led edly won by the AAH. ing a period that voter-fraud al- Barzani, which secured 25 seats. ance between al-Sadr and Abadi, National Wisdom Speaking to Sharqiya TV, former legations and incompetence were Allawi and Barzani also stated a as many observers expect. Movement, headed by Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi, levelled at the country’s electoral willingness to work with a Sadrist Abadi is said to object to entering Ammar al-Hakim, which who is a Sunni member of Abadi’s commission, the most serious such coalition. Their position of work- a coalition that includes his Dawa won 19 seats. list, said there was an under- charges in post-2003 Iraq. ing with any of the Shia-led alli- Party colleague Maliki. There is standing of forming a governing Although the voting fraud charg- ances is shared by Patriotic Union an apparent veto by Abadi’s Sunni Al-Sadr’s main objection to Ami- coalition that includes Marching es are not directed at al-Sadr’s of Kurdistan (PUK), which won partners — in the Victory Alliance ri’s Conquest Alliance is its inclu- Towards Reform, the Victory Alli- camp, if the widespread allega- 18 seats. Despite their bitter divi- — against working with Maliki. sion of Qais al-Khazali, who found- ance, National Wisdom Movement tions are not sufficiently investi- sions, the KDP and PUK are open Additionally, there are inde- ed Iraq’s Iran-backed Asa’ib Ahl and the Iraqi Decision as well as gated, they are likely to cast doubt to joining forces with each other to pendent Sunni lists that are joining al-Haq (AAH) militia. Khazali was other Sunni politicians. on the legitimacy of the governing form a united bloc in parliament. a coalition with Abadi, should he a rogue member of al-Sadr’s now- Such a coalition would also process. Despite the willingness of for- stay clear from Maliki. At the fore- dismantled Mahdi Army before he likely include senior Kurdish fig- mer foes to be part of any govern- front of those Sunni-led lists is the formed his own militia in 2004. ures, although negotiations over Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy ment, some politicians set red Decision Alliance, which won 14 It remains unknown how strong which parties will be involved are Managing Editor and Online lines regarding which parties they seats and includes the Arab Project al-Sadr’s objection to forming an ongoing. Editor of The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint Al-Sadr is a pragmatist, not an Iraqi nationalist

hia cleric Muqtada al- entirely by Iran as he established al-Sadr’s men were among the at Tehran. Before he became a Sadr, who pulled off a his notoriously vicious militia, most sectarian of all Iraq’s death recurring nightmare in Iraq fol- Tallha shock election victory the Mahdi Army. His Shia jihad- squads, contributing directly lowing the events of 2003, he was Abdulrazaq in Iraq, has had pundits ist fighters attacked invading US to the radicalisation that would hosted by the Iranian regime that believing that Iraq is on and British troops and targeted spawn the Islamic State (ISIS) provided him with money, shelter the verge of casting off Iraqi civilians in bloody reprisal terrorist organisation. It is of and even a basic education. Such Sthe bloody sectarianism that has campaigns. no surprise that another radical bonds are difficult to break. plagued the country since the US- Former officials of the toppled Iran-sponsored Shia jihadist, Qais It is arguable that he is only led invasion in 2003. Ba’athist regime were hunted and Khazali, found his roots in the indulging in anti-Iranian rheto- Running in an alliance with killed, even if they were civil serv- Mahdi Army before splitting off to ric because Tehran decided to small secularist parties and the ants and had nothing to do with found the hyper-sectarian Asa’ib favour other radicals, including Iraqi Communist Party on an anti- repressive practices. Many Iraqis Ahl al-Haq group. Vice-President Nuri al-Maliki and corruption and anti-sectarianism were compelled to become mem- Even in terms of his religious his Shia Islamist Dawa Party, over ticket, al-Sadr has painted himself bers of the Ba’ath Party because credentials, it is not as though al- al-Sadr. as something of an Iraqi national- that was the way citizens were pro- Sadr was trained in the Iraqi Shia With his history of dalliances ist. moted to better jobs, not because traditional seminaries in Najaf. with Iran, it is clear al-Sadr is less a He has railed against corrupt they were ideologically Ba’athist. His scholarly credentials are often nationalist than a pragmatist. His politicians and Iranian interfer- This would have been known to mocked, with the cleric often fickle nature can easily put him ence in Iraqi affairs and attacked the Mahdi Army. Nevertheless, derided as “Sayyid Atari,” for his back into bed with Tehran’s mul- parties well known for their ties to membership of the Ba’ath Party alleged love of video games over lahs once again. Iran will ultimate- Iran. Undoubtedly, to many Iraqis was deemed reason enough to kill. committing himself to scholarship. ly want to maintain its influence Far from being tired of being ruled from Tehran, Even worse was the Mahdi It was not until recently that al- in Iraq and, if it has to rehabilitate anti-sectarian, his campaign is a compelling pitch. Army’s targeting of Sunni Arab Sadr decided to improve his status al-Sadr into its circle of friends al-Sadr’s men However, it would be wise not civilians in central and southern by studying in the Iranian semi- and allies again, it will and al-Sadr to be too quick to jump on the Iraq, committing a hair-raising naries in Qom. Hardly the actions will be a willing partner. were among the “al-Sadr is an Iraqi nationalist” sectarian cleansing campaign in of someone supporting his home most sectarian bandwagon. After all, it was not Baghdad and the southern port country’s institutions. Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher that long ago that al-Sadr was city of Basra that led to thousands Al-Sadr is inextricably linked to at the University of Exeter’s of all Iraq’s setting up shop in post-invasion of brutal killings. Iran, irrespective of his grandiose Strategy and Security Institute death squads. Iraq, bankrolled and armed almost Far from being anti-sectarian, speeches and fiery rhetoric aimed in England. June 3, 2018 9 News & Analysis Syria Iran and Russia risk Syria split in face of Israel’s pressures

Sabahat Khan Syria are concerned, Moscow has arguably achieved greater success than the United States, Turkey and Dubai even Iran. Moscow has had its ef- forts aided by Iran and Hezbollah ussia’s military interven- in different ways, having steered tion in the Syrian civil war clear of the type of counter-in- in September 2015 was surgency campaigns that bogged R a major turning point in down the United States in Iraq and the conflict, shifting momentum the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. strongly in favour of Syrian Presi- Russia focused its military activ- dent Bashar Assad’s forces. ity in Syria primarily on air power Prior to Russia’s entry into the but also trained, equipped and aid- war, the scale, manner and timing ed government and aligned ground of which came as a surprise to all, forces. Russian soldiers have been Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard deployed sparingly. Taking a leaf Corps (IRGC) was already heavily out of recent Western approaches, immersed in Syria with its Leba- Russia relied increasingly on paid nese ally, Hezbollah. mercenaries in Syria. However, Tehran was fighting what in- the reality remains that the IRGC- creasingly looked like a lost cause Hezbollah role in Syria has been with unsustainable costs. Mos- indispensable to Damascus and ir- cow’s intervention came just as replaceable for Moscow. many were starting to believe Now, new pressures from Israel that the IRGC-Hezbollah effort to are emerging to test the appar- prevent the collapse of the Assad ent Russian-Iranian partnership government was destined to fail. in Syria. Israel has maintained a In that context, Moscow’s surprise strong working relationship with entry into Syria not only served as Moscow in Syria since the Rus- much-needed relief for Assad but sian military intervention began. for Tehran as well. Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to have strong personal Back-channel? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with his Iranian counterpart rapport with Israeli Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Moscow, on May 14. (AFP) As far as its core objectives Binyamin Netanyahu and remains in Syria are concerned, friendly with Israel. Moscow has arguably The Israelis have pressed Mos- November, he was told by Iranian and induces further tensions into world war is far from forgotten. achieved greater success cow more firmly than ever as they Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali American-European relations. What the IRGC is more likely to than the United States, mobilise against the IRGC, Hezbol- Khamenei that Russian-Iranian co- Yet the Israeli factor is likely to do is exert strong pressure on the Turkey and even Iran. lah and their allies in Syria to pre- operation could “isolate America.” have a strong effect on Russian Syrian state to return the favour vent the occupied Golan Heights Calling their cooperation “very strategy in Syria and its ties with by supporting its activities, which from becoming part of an extend- productive,” Putin reportedly as- Iran. Russia will attempt to play will probably become more Israel- Russia’s bold foray into Syria ed front. Russia will quickly find sured Khamenei that he would not the role of mediator between Israel centric than before. stemmed from multiple reasons that its Syria policy is no longer as “betray” him. and Iran through back-channel di- Ultimately, the Russians may and various motivations. These invulnerable as it once thought. plomacy but these efforts are un- find that remaining neutral or di- included protecting Moscow’s last Russia has become Iran’s most likely to yield lasting results. vorced from the Israeli-Iranian partner in the Arab world from important partner. The Syrian civil Russia’s bold foray into The IRGC is unlikely to be will- confrontation in Syria is no longer collapse, dispelling lingering per- war has been a key driving factor Syria stemmed from ing to make concessions for Israel without costs — it will inevitably ceptions that Russia abandons but, more broadly, Iran’s defiance multiple reasons and in Syria based on Russian pres- affect Russia’s standing and jeop- partners in times of need, testing of the United States provides wel- various motivations. sure. Despite growing alignment ardise the gains it has made. Alas, Russia’s military capability in roll- come opportunities for Moscow in recent years, Iranians have har- Syria could be about to turn into ing back the Islamic State (ISIS), within the region and elsewhere, Putin has been a strong sup- boured mistrust of Russia for more the quagmire Moscow thought it outmanoeuvring the Americans such as in Europe where US Presi- porter of the Iran nuclear deal but than three centuries — their em- was immune from. and aiming for recognition as a dent Donald Trump’s withdrawal the American withdrawal from it pires were rivals with Persia even- global power in the Middle East from the Iran nuclear deal gener- could prove advantageous as far tually being forced to cede large Sabahat Khan is a senior analyst at again. ated anger and frustration. as it rules out the possibility of an territories and the Soviet Union’s the Institute for Near East and Gulf As far as its core objectives in When Putin visited Tehran in American-Iranian rapprochement occupation of Iran after the second Military Analysis (INEGMA).

Viewpoint Rumours of an Iran-Russia split over Syria little more than a Western chimaera

here have been First, Turkey, whose operations committment at “Astana Nine.” ern-friendly government, would renewed claims that in northern Syria were coordi- Then, as Tony Badran, a research be congenial to Iran. However, the Russia and Iran, while nated with Russia to a degree that, fellow at the Foundation for limitations of the Assad regime’s Kyle Orton both supporting some said, Assad and Iran found Defense of Democracies, noted, ground forces are very real, as is Bashar Assad’s regime uncomfortable. Second, Israel, the Russians worked with Iranian the potential of provoking a dev- in Syria, have such which has struck repeatedly at forces and created 17 fixed military astating Israeli response so Russia Tdifferences in vision and interests the Iranian infrastructure in Syria, posts surrounding the Turks, days is trying another tactic. in Syria that a schism exists that then launched its largest attack after Moscow apparently hinted it Putin is messaging Israel that he Western policymakers can take to date a day after Israeli Prime would push Iran out of Syria. “only wants to restore the author- advantage of. Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met Supporters of the perennially ity of ‘the Syrian government’ in The notion is to work with Mos- with Putin in early May. Third, paranoid Assad/Iran axis won- south-western Syria,” Badran said, cow, which has a less maximalist Daraa, where a pro-Assad coalition dered about the possibility of col- and the Sochi remarks fit within position, to limit Iran’s influence, a offensive is in the offing and ten- lusion between Moscow and Tel this framework. more disruptive power that could sions in the Russian and Iranian Aviv over the May 10 Israeli strikes Whether forcibly taken or an- draw in worried regional countries approach have been detected. on Iranian positions in Syria. nexed through a “reconciliation” to a wider war. This idea is not Closely examined, these points There was no evidence of this; all agreement, the notion that Russia new and remains illusory. Russia is do not add up to a serious diver- the Israelis had demonstrated was will, or can, prevent Hezbollah or powerless — even if it was willing — gence between Iran and Russia. Russia’s inability to defend its cli- other Iranian instruments intrud- to restrain Iran, the dominant force In January, Turkey moved to ent, a longstanding fact. ing into this zone once it falls is driving the regime coalition’s war. evict the Kurdistan Workers’ Party “The problem, it strikes me, is rather doubtful, Badran pointed When Assad met with Presi- (PKK) from Afrin province and that people often start from the out. dent Vladimir Putin in May, Putin Russia, which the PKK believed assumption of an ‘all-powerful Meanwhile, the Jordanians, left said: “We presume that… with had guaranteed its security, Russia’ in Syria,” Badran ex- alone to face the pro-Assad coali- the significant victories… of the positioned itself in support once plained, where freedom to operate tion, were co-opted by the Rus- Syrian Army in the fight against it was unable to stop Turkey. In “must be granted by Russia to sians long ago and will go along terrorism [and] the onset of… the negotiations about the city, Russia outside forces” such as Israel and with this scheme, not least so they political process in its more active showed a more accommodative the United States. The reality, he can reopen the Nassib crossing phase, foreign armed forces will stance towards Turkey and Iran said, was that the Russians’ “posi- and resume trade. be withdrawn from the territory of sent its proxy militias to fight tion is vulnerable and they are The differences between Russia the Syrian Arab Republic.” alongside the PKK. aware of it.” and Iran over Daraa amount to a A few days later, spokesman Since Afrin fell to Turkey in The misinterpretation of these good-cop, bad-cop routine and, for Iran’s Foreign Ministry Bah- March, the PKK has been under- dynamics means that capac- mutatis mutandis, this is almost ram Qasemi said: “No one can standably bitter towards Russia ity limits are taken as political invariably the case when a schism force Iran to do anything. Iran’s and drawn somewhat closer to the divergence. This is flatly wrong, between the two appears to open. The Southern presence is based on the Syrian Americans, principally through Badran concluded, saying that As if to confirm this interpreta- Front rebels that government’s invitation… As long the Kurdish-led Syrian Demo- the Russians work around these tion, Russia’s Middle East envoy as the Syrian government wants, cratic Forces. However, the PKK’s limitations, as do the Iranians, to Mikhail Bogdanov met with Assad occupy the Israel- Iran will continue to assist the historically deep links with the bolster the regime. in Damascus and clarified Mos- Jordan border area country.” pro-Assad coalition remain. At Which brings us to Daraa. cow’s view: Assad is the “sover- in Daraa, starved Many concluded that a sig- most there has been a rebalance The Southern Front rebels that eign” and for as long as he decides nificant breach had occurred and for the PKK between Russia and occupy the Israel-Jordan border foreign troops “are needed on Syr- of resources and Putin was hinting at — perhaps Iran, leaving the PKK lever in the area in Daraa, starved of resources ian territory” they should remain. demoralised, will even promising to compel — an pro-Assad camp. and demoralised, will fold easily Iranian withdrawal of its ground In Idlib, the situation is clearer. if they are attacked. The result- Kyle Orton is a Middle East fold easily if they forces from Syria. This built on Turkey set up its final observa- ing wave of refugees into Jordan, analyst. Follow him on are attacked. three related recent points. tion post on May 16 as part of their potentially destabilising a West- Twitter @KyleWOrton. 10 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Egypt Nation’s Future party to dominate Egypt’s politics after merger

Hassan Abdel Zaher 596-member parliament. Owing to and coalitions. Before the merger, the complicated nature of Egypt’s the Nation’s Future Party, with 53 parliamentary system, many mem- MPs, was the second largest party in Cairo bers of the party are also members Egypt’s parliament. of Support Egypt. With municipal elections set for ndependent lawmakers are The Nation’s Future Party has this year, there are fears the weak- flocking to join a new version of called for other political parties ness of secular parties could allow the Nation’s Future Party, creat- represented in parliament and in- the return of Islamists to municipal I ing a pro-government political dependent lawmakers to join what councils. A new generation of Mus- powerhouse that looks to transform many believe will become a domi- lim Brotherhood figures is believed politics in Egypt. More than 200 nant force on Egypt’s political scene. to be preparing to step into politics. lawmakers affiliated with the For The realignment answers calls by With Sisi beginning his second the Sake of Egypt bloc joined the Sisi for Egyptian political parties to and final term in office, many Egyp- Nation’s Future Party, making it the unite to address criticism over a lack tians are calling for a shake-up of a first mega-party in post-revolution of political opposition. stagnant political scene ahead of Egypt. Egypt has 104 political parties but parliamentary elections in 2020. “Our unity will make us the larg- only nine are represented in parlia- Nation’s Future Party Secretary- Changing the political map. Nation’s Future Party Secretary- est political party in Egypt,” said ment. Few political parties, includ- General Ashraf Rashad said the par- General Ashraf Rashad. (Courtesy of Nation’s Future Party) Mohamed Manzour, the general ing those in parliament, have a pop- ty’s growing strength would make coordinator of the For the Sake of ular presence on the street. it capable of winning the municipal Egypt coalition. “We have grand Egypt’s 2015 legislative elec- elections later this year. political analysts said, because it Sisi has said he would like to see goals that cannot be achieved away tions saw a major decline of party “Other parties, political figures would encourage other parties and Egypt’s political scene narrowed from this unity.” politics, with just 120 seats of the and lawmakers are welcome to join coalitions to do the same. Discus- to two or three major parties. Al- The new party will keep the Na- legislature guaranteed for parties. us,” Rashad said. sions are reportedly under way though some criticised the calls to tion’s Future Party name even While there has been a massive rise He confirmed that his party among several other pro-govern- merge as an artificial fix, political though the For the Sake of Egypt in the number of independent par- would continue to back Sisi and his ment parties over whether to join analysts said this could give new life bloc was technically larger. liamentarians, most join loose blocs government and would not seek the new Nation’s Future configura- to Egyptian politics. The Nation’s Future Party was to form a new government before tion. Opposition parties are consid- “Against all odds, the presence of founded in 2014 by young Egyptians it has an absolute majority in par- ering uniting amid fears they could too many political parties has weak- under Egypt’s internal parliamen- More than 200 liament. Rashad remains leader be left behind. ened our political life, not strength- tary laws. Attempts by the powerful of the Nation’s Future Party, with Magdi Murshidi, a senior official ened it,” said Akram Badr Eddin, a Support Egypt coalition, which also lawmakers affiliated Manzour becoming his deputy. of the Congress Party, a coalition of political science professor at Cairo strongly backed President Abdel with the For the Sake The Nation’s Future Party was six liberal and left-wing groups, said University. “Political coalitions are Fattah al-Sisi, to form a mega-party of Egypt bloc joined formed in the hope that it would en- his party has invited other left-of- more capable of winning elections faced legal hurdles as parliament’s gage with disaffected young Egyp- centre entities to join it. and making their presence felt on rules do not allow political coali- the Nation’s Future tians. Before the merger, more than “The political map is changing the streets.” tions to unilaterally transform into Party, making it the first 90% of the party’s 250,000 mem- and we cannot stand idly by and political parties. bers were under the age of 35. Ra- watch,” Murshidi said. “By admit- Hassan Abdel Zaher is a The Nation’s Future Party con- mega-party in post- shad is 28. ting like-minded parties and politi- Cairo-based contributor to trols 265 seats (44%) in Egypt’s revolution Egypt. The party merger is important, cians, we will be stronger.” The Arab Weekly. Cairo sees Qatar’s ban on Egyptian imports as toothless

joyed a competitive edge in foreign Amr Emam markets. “Products originating in Egypt Cairo are more competitive in foreign markets in terms of price,” said Qatari ban on Egyptian Mukhtar al-Sherif, an economics goods will not harm the professor at Mansoura University. country’s exports and will “A weaker pound makes exports A ultimately prove tooth- cheap, compared to exports from less, the Egyptian government other countries with strong na- said. tional currencies.” “Qatar has never been an impor- tant market for us,” said Ahmed The Egyptian plan to Antar, a senior Egyptian Minis- try of Trade and Industry official. diversify export markets and “This is a very small market, which increase exports prioritised means that exports to it are noth- other Gulf countries, Asia ing compared to our overall trade.” and Africa and did not highly Qatar announced a ban on prod- feature Qatar. ucts originating from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates The Qatari ban, political analysts and Bahrain — the Arab Quartet — said, comes when Doha’s main nearly a year after those countries backers — Turkey and Iran — are severed diplomatic and trade ties having their problems, which cre- with Doha over its alleged financ- ates a support deficit for Doha. ing of terrorism and policies the Iran is struggling to rescue the quartet said harmed Arab security. nuclear deal it signed in 2015 with The quartet last June presented Western powers after US President a list of demands for Qatar to meet, Donald Trump withdrew from it, including cutting funding of ex- bringing the prospect of a return to tremist groups and changing its economic sanctions. Turkey, which Iran policies. Doha has refused to will have snap presidential and act on the demands. parliamentary elections on June Political analysts said the tim- 24, is facing a tough economic situ- ing of the ban on products from ation as the Turkish lira weakens. the Arab Quartet demonstrates US backing for a settlement to Qatari defiance one year after the Support deficit. A woman shops in a supermarket in Doha. (Reuters) the standoff over Qatar was pushed diplomatic and trade embargo was back because of issues such as imposed on it. With a population Iran’s nuclear activities and the of 2.7 million, including 315,000 a small fraction of overall Egyptian exports — mostly engineering increase exports prioritised other potential settlement of the dispute Qatari nationals, however, Qatar is exports of $20.5 billion. products, vegetables and fruit — Gulf countries, Asia and Africa and with North Korea. not a large export market for any of Egyptian goods do not enter Qa- would be channelled to other mar- did not highly feature Qatar. “All these developments make the four countries. tar directly, Antar said, but through kets. “We have a strategy to increase Doha feel lonely in the field against “Doha still wants to show that it a third party in one of the Gulf Co- Egyptian officials said their plan exports to Africa, in particular,” four countries that are unwavering has not been weakened by the boy- operation Council (GCC) members. to diversify export markets and Antar said. “This is a promising in their determination to make it cott,” said Tarek Fahmi, a political Antar said Egyptian goods were market that contains a huge num- suspend its negative policies and science professor at Cairo Univer- also sent to Qatar through private The timing of the ban on ber of consumers.” financing of terrorism,” Fahmi sity. “It wants to show that it too exporters who do not have any- Egypt’s new export-oriented products from the anti- said. “If this determination and the can inflict damage on the econo- thing to do with official policy. production policy received impe- Qatari defiance reveal anything, it mies of the four countries.” Soon after Qatar issued its ban, terrorism quartet aims to tus 18 months ago with the flota- is that this crisis will not be settled The move will cause no damage, officials at the Egyptian Trade demonstrate Qatari defiance tion of the Egyptian pound. While any time soon.” the Egyptian Trade and Industry and Industry Ministry reached an one year after the the pound quickly lost half its val- Ministry said. In 2017, Egyptian ex- agreement with businesses that diplomatic and trade ue and prices increased dramati- Amr Emam is a Cairo-based ports to Qatar totalled $79 million, export to Qatar that the affected embargo imposed on it. cally locally, Egyptian products en- contributor to The Arab Weekly. June 3, 2018 11 Debate Lebanon Hezbollah derives its clout from outside the Lebanese state

agreements with other political When Lebanese forces in Lebanon were based on citizens wish the principle: “leave my army and Ali al-Amin Hezbollah the arms alone and do whatever you best of luck in want with the rest of the country’s affairs.” its war on Hezbollah’s multiple wars on corruption, they corruption have always been n Lebanon, having a partisan do so out of merely rhetorical. Not once has bloc in parliament twice the desperation. it carried through with its prom- size of Hezbollah’s bloc does ises. Instead, it has often used not necessarily mean that the threat of exposing corruption group’s share in decision- cases as a tactic to blackmail op- making is commensurate ponents and critics into turning a Iwith its size. Hezbollah has no blind eye on Hezbollah’s state- more than 15 members of parlia- within-the-state project. ment but nobody in Lebanon Saying that is not to imply that doubts the party is the ultimate Hezbollah itself is not guilty of decision-maker in the govern- corruption. It is known that Hez- ment and parliament. bollah did nothing to expose or The strength of Hezbollah intervene in cases of government comes from outside the frame- corruption that occurred with work of state institutions. The Hezbollah’s collusion, if not en- state in Lebanon is the party’s couragement. However, when the weakest leg. A mini-state within Lebanese government threatened the state, Hezbollah has more to shut down the party’s com- power even though it does munication network, Hezbollah not draw that power from any Same old politics. Members of Hezbollah parliamentary bloc applaud after Nabih Berri resorted to its blackmailing tactics democratic process. It draws its is re-elected as Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker, on May 23. (Reuters) and almost staged a coup. power from military and security The Lebanese are eagerly considerations and imposes it on cal forces in Lebanon is limited to use of power. More than that, it is awaiting Hezbollah’s miraculous the state and its institutions in a deciding matters that are not re- unable to openly admit that it has approach to stomping out corrup- model of power legitimacy never lated to state sovereignty, includ- the exclusive right to be in charge tion. The country’s economy and before seen in normal countries, ing agreeing on each party’s share of the country’s security and its citizens have been worn thin be they democratic or dictatorial. of public offices or providing military affairs. by corruption at all levels and by For this model of power le- services. All parties are equally This painful reality serves as smuggling. The country’s borders gitimacy to continue in Lebanon, engaged in corruption, a major the perfect excuse for the govern- have become porous to all sorts other forces in the country must element of the mini-state’s power ment to flee from its constitu- of smuggling operations — with at least have formal representa- and protection and its lever for tional responsibilities. Naturally, Hezbollah’s complicity. To say tion in parliament. This repre- exercising power over the state. when huge gaps in exercising au- Hezbollah will eradicate all of sentation is just a formality and Without corruption, the mini- thority are left unfilled and when that when most of its power alli- is not meant to lead to effective state would vanish. accountability is absent, the genie ances are with figures and parties participation in the management Corruption is crucial for the of corruption will escape from heavily suspected of systematic of public affairs. Surely these survival of the evil connection its bottle under the watchful and corruption is beyond fiction. forces can have a say in minor between the mini-state and the encouraging eye of the mini-state. When Lebanese citizens wish side issues but they cannot touch state. The first objective condi- The message to the Lebanese is Hezbollah the best of luck in its the major political issues, such as tion for fighting the phenomenon simple: Your government is not war on corruption, they do so those related to security, foreign of corruption in any country is qualified to govern. out of desperation. They have policy and war. an authority possessing the right With this in mind, Hezbollah’s despaired of the government’s Participation by the other politi- of coercion and which has the secretary-general declaring war ability to curb corruption. responsibility to fight corruption. on corruption in the state appa- However, wishful thinking is one A mini-state within the state, That authority is only accountable ratus is extremely dubious and thing and reality is another. Real- to the citizenry for its actions. ironic. Hassan Nasrallah made ity says that reforms and fighting Hezbollah has more power This concept is quasi-absent that promise during the campaign corruption require state institu- even though it does not draw from Lebanon. As the execu- leading up to Lebanon’s recent tions that refuse to be subjected to tive branch, the government in general elections. It is indeed an outside source of power. that power from any Lebanon is incapable of maintain- dubious when it is known that democratic process. ing a monopoly on the legitimate all of Hezbollah’s alliances and Ali al-Amin is a Lebanese writer. The Lebanese Hunger Games

ing Hezbollah within the cabinet Seemingly aware of these chal- Bassil, the leader of the Free and, by extension, allowing it to lenges, Hariri declared that the If Hariri Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the continue to use its governmental latest sanctions would have a dodges the son-in-law of Lebanese President Makram Rabah position to grant legitimacy to it positive effect on the formation of Hezbollah Michel Aoun, who has been lever- extracurricular activities across the government, as if Hezbollah bullet, he will aging the presidency to establish a the region. Exacerbating matters would fathom their implications still be left robust parliamentary and cabi- was the adoption of a wide range of and choose to elect moderate Shias net bloc. Similarly, the Lebanese sanctions by the Trump adminis- as its representatives. with the Forces, the other major Christian breeze of optimism tration and the Terrorist Financing While Hariri’s ambitious thought ceaseless faction, which almost doubled its is blowing across Targeting Centre (composed of process might appear logical, demands of seats in parliament, is demanding Lebanon, particularly Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Hezbollah’s political and military the Lebanese its fair share of the governmental within the ranks of Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and actions along with its rhetoric dur- political pie, something Bassil wishes to the political elite, Qatar) against Hezbollah and indi- ing the election campaign, would swamp. thwart. which seem to be viduals connected to the group. suggest Hariri’s hopes are doomed. Equally challenging for Hariri is expectingA a swift formation of the These new US and Arab sanc- Some have speculated the sanc- accommodating the many pro- next cabinet, a lengthy process tions were explicit in their designa- tions are there to remind Hariri Syrian MPs who made a significant that typically follows every parlia- tion of the entirety of Hezbollah and the Lebanese state of their comeback within the Lebanese po- mentary election. — including the political wing that need to uphold its dissociation litical milieu. Along with the need That rosy outlook found further serves in the Lebanese parliament policy and, in exchange, Hariri to appease these newly enfran- ground with the re-election of par- — as a terrorist organisation. Hez- can appease Hezbollah and offer it chised MPs, Hariri must be equally liament Speaker Nabih Berri for the bollah previously was allowed a seats in his cabinet. aware of the threat posed by them sixth time. Further fuelling politi- political margin to operate within, However, for Hezbollah, one of to his leadership of the country’s cal optimism was the designating mostly by the Europeans, who held the main reasons for even tak- Sunni population. of incumbent Prime Minister Saad that, despite its violent endeav- ing part in the Lebanese political Contrary to expectations, Hariri by 111 of the 128 MPs to form ours, Hezbollah was essentially process was to convert whatever Hariri’s formation of the govern- the upcoming cabinet. representative of the Lebanese legitimacy it gains into guarantees ment will have to wait until these However, despite the auspicious Shias and, as such, any boycott that the demands of both the Leba- obstacles are surmounted. When omens, good fortune alone will not would be ill-advised. nese and international communi- that happens, Hariri will be left be enough to propel Hariri through However, much appears to have ties that it relinquish its weapons with a cabinet he occasionally the many challenges and pitfalls changed. As things stand, Hariri no be safely ignored. leads and one in which he is con- ahead, both in forming a cabinet longer has the luxury of allowing Be that as it may, if Hariri dodges stantly forced to compromise with and the obstacles that cabinet will the group carte blanche to forward the Hezbollah bullet, he will still to retain his position. face. any member it chooses for a cabi- be left with the ceaseless demands More important, while Hariri Perhaps the main challenge net position. of the Lebanese political swamp, and the rest of the political elite is the thorny matter of includ- Since his brief falling-out with with all its residents competing to are engaged in their version of the Saudi establishment in Novem- acquire key portfolios in the next the Hunger Games, the Lebanese ber, Hariri has worked diligently to cabinet. economy and debt levels dete- All the demands of Lebanon’s prove to his Saudi and Arab allies All the demands of Lebanon’s riorate, with Lebanon’s future as that he is acutely aware of the dan- power-hungry factions must be precarious as ever. power-hungry factions must be ger of allowing Hezbollah and Iran catered to, with each seeking to catered to, with each seeking to to operate freely in Lebanon. For maximise whatever cash-in is Makram Rabah is a lecturer at maximise whatever cash-in is Hariri to resume his normalisation available in return for its electoral the American University of Beirut process with the Saudi government performance. and author of “A Campus at War: available in return for its and other Gulf states, his cabinet Leading the pack of these over- Student Politics at the American electoral performance. needs to be Hezbollah-free. ambitious contenders is Gebran University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” 12 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Israel, Hamas agree on ‘restoration of calm’ after Gaza flare-up

The Arab Weekly staff said it would refrain from further strikes against Gaza if Palestinian militants stopped firing rockets at London Israel. “Firing has stopped since the srael and Hamas have agreed morning and Israel conveyed a to what the Palestinian group message that if it resumes, the at- termed “a restoration of calm” tacks on Hamas and its associates I following hostilities that in- will be even stronger,” said a sen- volved the resumption of Israeli ior Israeli official. strikes against Gaza after militant Israeli Intelligence Minister rocket fire from the strip was di- Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio that rected at Israel. the resumption of hostilities “de- Calm appears to have been re- pends on Hamas.” stored to the Israel-Gaza border “Israel does not want the situa- after an Egypt-brokered ceasefire tion to deteriorate but those who went into effect May 30. started the violence must stop it,” Hamas and Islamic Jihad mili- said Katz. tants fired dozens of rockets and Israeli Cabinet minister Aryeh mortar shells at Israel, leading to Deri said he expected calm to re- Israeli tank and air strikes hitting sume. more than 50 targets in the be- “If it will be quiet, we will re- Powder keg. A Palestinian man inspects a destroyed Islamic Jihad military base after it was targeted spond with quiet… There is a good sieged enclave. by an Israeli warplane, on May 30. (Reuters) “After the resistance succeeded chance that the routine will be in confronting the (Israeli) aggres- restored after the blow the army sion… there was a lot of (Egyp- unleashed on them,” Deri told Is- Strip),” Israeli Water Resources The United States put forward hospitals in the Gaza Strip. tian) mediation in the past hours,” rael’s Army Radio. Yuval Steinitz said in same arti- a resolution at the UN Security “I am deeply concerned about said Hamas’s deputy chief in Israeli analysts attributed Is- cle. He also blamed the Palestin- Council condemning Palestinian the worsening situation in the Gaza Khalil al-Hayya. “An agree- rael’s apparent acceptance of an ian President Mahmoud Abbas for rocket fire and upholding Israel’s Gaza Strip and today’s UK aid ment was reached to return to the undeclared truce with Hamas to Gaza’s woes. right to defend itself. Only the package gives a message to the (2014) ceasefire understandings in their country’s preoccupation “[Abbas is] deliberately putting United States voted in favour of world and to the people of Gaza the Gaza Strip. The resistance fac- with Iran’s presence in Syria. Gaza in a humanitarian crisis so the measure. Kuwait proposed that we have not forgotten them tions will abide by it as long as the “Compared to Syria, Gaza is that the anger and distress will a Security Council resolution or their plight,” said Burt. occupation does the same.” considered a secondary front, and be directed at the state of Israel,” condemning Israel’s use of force “We have been clear that a po- Hamas and Islamic Jihad said Israel does not currently have a Steinitz said. against Palestinian civilians but litical settlement is the only way the rocket fire was in retaliation clear goal there,” wrote Haaretz Abbas blamed Israel for the es- the United States vetoed the to ensure lasting peace for Pales- for Israeli attacks targeting their defence analyst Amos Harel. calation in Gaza, saying: “The Is- proposition. tinians and Israelis alike. All par- positions, which reportedly killed “Toppling the Hamas regime raeli occupation launched a fierce There are fears that the latest ties must redouble their political three Islamic Jihad members. would entail a war that will have aggression on the Gaza Strip… escalations could spark a new efforts and return to the negotiat- There were no fatalities on the Is- a significant price and there is no with rockets and aircraft. This war, similar in scale to the one in ing table, not only to address the raeli side. certainty that the alternative, af- indicates that the occupation 2014 in which more than 2,000 deteriorating conditions in Gaza, “What the resistance carried ter Hamas, will necessarily be bet- does not want peace. However, Palestinians and 72 Israelis were but to ensure tragedies of the past out… comes within the frame- t e r.” we want peace and we demand killed. months are not repeated.” work of the natural right to de- Other Israeli officials warned peace.” The tensions came as Israeli EU foreign policy chief Federica fend our people,” read a statement that the response against Gaza forces seized control of a Palestin- Mogherini, speaking at a meeting from Hamas. could be stronger next time. ian boat that was seeking to leave of EU foreign ministers in Brus- Hamas and Islamic Jihad had “All the options are on the table, Gaza’s waters in a protest against sels, said: “The tensions in Gaza vowed to avenge the death of at including conquering the strip,” Israeli Intelligence the blockade of the enclave. happen in a context of lack of a least 116 Palestinian protesters at Israeli Minister of Justice Ayelet Minister Yisrael Katz said It also coincided with a visit to peace process and in the context the hands of Israeli forces near the Shaked told ynetnews.com. Gaza by Britain’s Minister for the of developments in Jerusalem Gaza border since March 30. “We hope that we will not be that the resumption of Middle East Alistair Burt where he and we still are all committed, all Israel denied that it had agreed forced to carry out this move hostilities “depends on announced a $2 million aid pack- the 28, to consider Jerusalem the to a ceasefire with Hamas but (of conquering the entire Gaza Hamas.” age to help treat patients in 11 future capital of the two states.” Viewpoint Israel finds many benefits in closer ties to Europe

srael, by hosting stages of the treaties ending their participation are manifestations of a gradual tries have been more willing to Tour of Italy cycling race and in the boycott in 1979 and 1994, process of integration. criticise and condemn Israel for winning the Eurovision Song respectively; Algeria, Morocco and These events help push the Is- its crimes. Maya al-Orzza Contest, has gained momen- Tunisia do not enforce the boycott raeli narrative. When Tour of Italy However, through this pro- tum in Europe recently but and Mauritania never applied it. organisers started talking about cess of Europeanisation, Israel is these events are not isolated In practice, Syria and Lebanon “West Jerusalem” as the start of creating strong links with Europe Iincidents. Israel has been work- are the only countries in the Arab the race, Israeli Sports Minister and European citizens. These ing for decades to strengthen its League that actively enforce the Miri Regev stressed that “Jerusa- economic and cultural ties make it relationship with Europe. boycott. lem” is one and indivisible. She easier for Europeans to associate Israel’s connections with Europe Israel has overplayed the effects threatened to cut state subsidies Israel’s unlawful attacks and op- predate its establishment as a of the boycott to gain sympathy for the race unless only the term pression of Palestinians with their state. The Zionist movement start- from Europe and establish closer “Jerusalem” was used. Organisers own war on terror, to see Israel as ed in Europe at the end of the 19th commercial ties. Israel is one of complied and promoted the race the victim and to justify its crimes century. Not only are the ideologi- the European Union’s main com- in Jerusalem. based on the broader fight against cal underpinnings of the state of mercial partners and benefits from Israel’s presence in cultural and terrorism, unaware of the settler Israel essentially European but so membership to many EU networks sports events creates the impres- colonial nature of Israel. is its population. More than 40% and programmes. sion that the country is more By creating closer ties with Eu- of Israeli Jews are potential EU Beyond economic interests, European and less Middle Eastern. rope, it will be increasingly harder citizens because of their European Israel is keen to influence Eu- Israel has always tried to distin- for European countries to isolate ancestry and 9% hold EU citizen- rope’s perception of Israel. When guish itself from its neighbours as or sanction Israel for its interna- ship. Israel features prominently emphasising its regional isolation, the “only democracy in the Middle tional crimes. in European sports and cultural Israel fails to mention the reasons East,” one that shares cultural This is a very important goal events, commercial agreements behind it — crimes committed values and historical connections considering the increasing sup- and political institutions. by Israel against the Palestinian to Europe. These whitewashing ef- port for the Boycott, Divestment One of the main strategies used people — and chooses to focus on forts distract the public discourse and Sanctions movement aiming by Israel to win support for its hatred and discrimination instead. from the crimes and unlawful to end international support for integration with Europe has been Sports and cultural events divert colonial expansion of Israel and Israel and the recent calls by the to emphasise its isolation in the attention from war crimes, a strat- strengthen its regional position United Nations and human rights region. Over the years, the boycott egy branded as “whitewashing” by with European support. organisations to pressure Israel to Israel’s presence in by the Arab League has been critics of Israel. The Israeli govern- Promoting itself through eco- end its violations of international cultural and sports invoked as an obstacle to Israel’s ment uses these events to improve nomic trade, tourism, sports and law. This reality has forced Israel economic development and as its international image, especially culture, Israel is trying to rebrand to react and tightening links with events creates the proof of its neighbours’ hostility. in Europe, where support is not itself, normalising its presence Europe is an integral part of its impression that it is The boycott includes direct as unconditional as in the United in Europe. While the support of survival strategy. trade with Israel and of foreign States. Hosting the initial stages of the United States has been almost more European and companies that do business with Tour of Italy this year and possibly unconditional, the situation in Maya al-Orzza is a legal researcher less Middle Eastern. Israel. Egypt and Jordan signed Eurovision in Jerusalem in 2019 Europe is different, where coun- in the West Bank. June 3, 2018 13 News & Analysis Regional Issues

By deploying F-35s, Israel steps Gulf states also interested in up air war against Iran in Syria purchase of F-35s Ed Blanche Ed Blanche Beirut Beirut srael’s introduction of the US- built F-35 Lightning II stealth audi Arabia and the fighter jet likely means it plans United Arab Emirates I to intensify its air assault on Ira- also want to acquire F- nian targets in Syria and bring clos- S 35s and, given subtle er the possibility — some would say advances in their attitudes to- inevitability — of a major conflict in wards Israel away from the ad- a region already ravaged by wars. versarial policy of the last 70 There are indications that the Is- years, they could be on the verge raelis have flung the first nine of the of a breakthrough that has the 50 F-35s they ordered from US de- potential to dramatically alter fence contractor Lockheed Martin the geopolitical realities of the into action against Iranian forces in region. southern Syria in recent weeks. Even as the Israeli Air Force The commander of the Israeli Air goes operational with the first of Force (IAF), Major-General Amikam the 50 stealth jets it has ordered, Norkin, disclosed that the F-35s had hitting Iranian targets in Syria, conducted air operations “on two the Saudis are about to receive different fronts,” though he gave no the first of 84 Boeing F-15SAs — details of when or where the F-35s the “SA” designation indicates struck. they have been specially tailored The enhanced capabilities of for the kingdom’s needs. the F-35I provide the Israelis with The Royal Saudi Air Force will what is known in military speak as also get upgrade kits for its exist- a “force multiplier” — its advanced ing force of 70 F-15s. integrated electronic systems mean The United States, Israel’s that as well as conducting attacks, closest ally, has since 2011 re- the F-35 can “manage” operations jected repeated requests from by other less-capable, non-stealthy the UAE for the radar-evading aircraft. F-35 built by Lockheed Martin. The Israelis did this with an ear- This was primarily because such lier generation of combat jets, F-15 sales would undermine Israel’s Eagles they received from the Unit- so-called qualitative military ed States in the late 1970s, most edge — QME — which Washing- notably in the Battle of the Bekaa ton has pledged to maintain and Valley in Lebanon on June 6, 1982. even enshrined in law. In that clash, Israeli fighters, us- However, the UAE, which, ing unmanned aircraft as decoys like Saudi Arabia, is a key ally to entice the Syrians to switch on of the United States against Iran their camouflaged radars, a move and actively participated in the that gave away their positions, de- war against the Islamic State, is stroyed 19 of Syria’s Soviet-supplied viewed with considerably more SA-6 air-defence missile batteries leniency in Washington. Its mili- and shot down 85 Syrian MiGs on tary takes part in multinational the first day of Israel’s invasion of military exercises with the Unit- Lebanon. ed States That 3-hour action, in which the The threat from an expansion- Israelis suffered no losses, was ist Iran has changed everything. hailed by the US Air Force at the “An emboldened Iran has caused time as “one of the largest and most a massive strategic crevice to lopsided air battles in modern avia- form in the… Gulf,” observed an- tion history.” alyst Tyler Rogoway in the War The Israelis used the F-15s — the Zone, a US defence website. most advanced fighter of its day, “Sunni Arab states… have just as the F-35 is now — as “mini- found a far more threatening en- battle managers” to direct Israeli emy in Shia-controlled Iran than jets onto the Syrian MiGs electroni- in Israel, with Israel increasingly cally blinded by Israeli E-2C com- seeing their once bitter foes as mand-and-control aircraft circling strategic partners and maybe high above the dogfights. Enhanced capabilities. An Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter plane performs at an air show in one day even allies.” “This innovative use of the F-15 the Negev desert. (AFP) prevented the Syrians from effec- tively overloading and confusing the E-2C controllers with masses of Military sources said it was un- “In this case, flying a couple of its mological Survey recorded tremors analysis website. enemy fighters,” the US Air Force likely the Israelis would risk esca- new F-35s for a ‘simple’ reconnais- registering magnitude 2.6 in the The Syrians initially said their study of the battle observed. lating its confrontation with Iran in sance mission over Iran would not area. SA-6s drove the marauders away Israel began taking delivery of Syria through such a provocative be worth the risk.” The attacks apparently took the on April 24 and intercepted several the fifth-generation F-35I, which it mission. The Israelis have made no The consensus then is that for Syrian air defences by surprise and, Israeli missiles but later reported has dubbed the “Adir,” Hebrew for mention of such an operation. now at least, the Israelis may use unusually, the Damascus regime there had been no incoming threats “Mighty,” in December 2016 and US aviation expert David Cenci- the F-35s’ unique capabilities to did not claim to have shot down at all. has so far received nine, which otti reported it was unlikely that significantly upgrade fourth-gen- any of the intruders. This unusual volte face raised were declared fully operational on the F-35s would avoid detection eration aircraft, such as F-16s, by On May 1, NBC News reported the suggestion that the Israelis had December 6, 2017. These are oper- on such a long flight because they directing packages of them for spe- that Israeli F-15Is participated in mounted a cyber or electronic at- ated by Squadron 140, the Golden would need external fuel tanks, cific missions. This is how the IAF the Salhab raids by mimicking tran- tack to blind Syrian air defences, as Eagles, deployed at the Nevatim which would negate the aircraft’s integrated the first F-16A jets it re- sponder codes used by US Air Force they did in September 2007 when desert base in central Israel. Each radar-evading capabilities and ceived in the early 1980s. F-15E multirole jets and by flying the IAF destroyed a nuclear reactor jet costs around $100 million. An- mean that it would have to under- On June 7, 1981, the Israelis em- a circuitous route through Jorda- in eastern Syria. other nine are expected by the end go detectable in-flight refuelling by ployed the F-16I’s special capabili- nian and Iraqi airspace. There has “It is difficult to imagine the Is- of this year. the Israeli Air Force. ties to mount Operation Opera — been no independent verification raelis going through all that effort Kuwait’s Al-Jarida newspaper re- “Although the IAF has a long his- also known as Operation Babylon of that. without it being in support of ad- ported in early May that two Israeli tory of pioneering new aircraft and — in which eight of the jets flew On April 24, the Israelis mounted ditional objectives,” Trevithick F-35s flew undetected over Syria new weapons systems in real com- at rooftop level over Baghdad to a little-reported air mission against wrote. “At the same time… it is in- and Iraq and entered Iranian air- bat pretty early, this has usually bomb Saddam Hussein’s French- a Hezbollah base near the war- creasingly difficult for the Kremlin space in reconnaissance missions happened for quite complex and built nuclear reactor at Osirak, end- ruined city of Aleppo that some to sit idly by ignoring these strikes, over Bandar Abbas, an important daring missions with a real strate- ing his nuclear ambitions. analysts saw as intended to be a even though its forces and interests Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gic value,” Cenciotti observed in Now, Israel has continued air further demonstration of Israel’s are not directly under threat.” (IRGC) base on the Arabian Gulf, the US journal the Aviationist. strikes against Iranian targets in ability to strike Syria wherever and There have been reports the Rus- and the cities of Isfahan and Shiraz. Syria to prevent it from installing whenever it chooses and possibly sians may bolster Syria’s air de- Al-Jarida, which often publishes missile bases capable of hitting the to test the capabilities of the F-35I. fences with long-range S-300 mis- unsubstantiated reports of Israeli There are indications that Jewish state. There are complications to the siles but there has been no hard military and intelligence activities, These Israeli raids are often quite Israeli strategy. “Successful Israeli evidence of any such deployment. said Syria’s Russia-built radar sys- the Israelis have flung the ferocious. On April 29, Israeli jets raids, whatever they target, only The Russians have, however, pro- tem failed to detect the jets. first nine of the 50 F-35s hit the Syrian Army’s 47th Brigade serve to potentially embarrass Rus- vided additional Pantsir-S1 missiles An operation like that would they ordered from US base and an arms depot at Sal- sia, which has officially linked its capable of knocking out stand-off be highly sensitive in the current defence contractor hab, near the central Syrian city of own air defences in the country weapons. tense climate in the region as Is- Lockheed Martin into Hama. These were being used by with Assad’s and is the primary rael becomes increasingly alarmed the IRGC to store hundreds of sur- supplier of surface-to-air mis- Ed Blanche is a regular about Iran establishing a major action against Iranian face-to-surface and other missiles. sile systems to the Syrian govern- contributor to The Arab Weekly. military presence in the southern forces in southern Syria The resulting explosions were ment,” observed Joseph Trevith- He has reported on the Middle East Golan Heights overlooking Israel. in recent weeks. so intense that the European Seis- ick of the War Zone, a US military since 1967. 14 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Ankara deepens military incursion in northern Iraq against PKK

Menekse Tokyay Turkish troops could enter PKK strongholds in the Qandil Moun- Ankara tains to consolidate nationalistic votes for the government by main- urkey, preparing for parlia- taining a war footing. Qandil, a mentary and presidential mountainous area of Iraqi Kurdis- elections, has continued its tan near the Iraq-Iran border that T months-long ground incur- has been a Kurdish haven since sion against the Kurdistan Workers’ the Ottoman era, has a significant Party (PKK) in Iraq’s northern Kurd- importance in Turkey’s perception ish region. of its territorial security, which it Operation Tigris Shield began accuses the PKK of using to attack March 10 and is considered the most Turkey. Mounting concerns. Turkish soldiers conduct military exercises near the Habur crossing gate serious ground operation initiated Ankara had carried out air strikes between Turkey and Iraq, last September. (AFP) by Ankara to hinder the PKK in Iraq against PKK positions in short-term and Syria and to prevent the group’s operations but has rarely conducted cross-border attacks into Turkey. ground incursions since the mid- concept and agreements between the new Iraqi government to take but this move in and of itself would Ankara is concerned about the 1990s. Turkey and Iraq that enable both further action, due to the possible hardly completely eliminate the PKK advances and the group’s at- In a phone call with his Iraqi coun- governments to cross their common inclusion of Shia militia groups that PKK positions in the region. Tur- tempts to establish cantons in Iraq’s terpart Haider al-Abadi, Turkish borders while chasing terror groups. would not favour a military rap- key is also likely to establish buffer Sinjar district similar to the model Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said “Geographically this is a very dif- prochement or joint operation be- zones to prevent PKK from moving applied by Kurds in Syria. in late March that Ankara would ficult region that cannot be com- tween the two countries. across the borders,” he noted. The PKK, which has fought the conduct ground operations in Iraq pared with the previous military Ahmet Han, an international rela- If a buffer zone is established, Turkish state for more than three only with approval from Baghdad campaigns in Syria. It would be dif- tions professor at Kadir Has Univer- Han added, it would not be a “pic- decades, is listed as a terrorist or- because it respects Iraq’s territorial ficult to establish permanent mili- sity in Istanbul, said the operation’s nic” area and there would be seri- ganisation by Turkey, the United sovereignty. tary outposts due to the risk of be- prospect to reach the Qandil Moun- ous security risks that need to be States and the European Union. Aaron Stein, a senior resident fel- coming a target for terror attacks,” tains is contingent on the political managed. In May, PKK militants killed two low at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik said Bilgay Duman, coordinator of situation among the Iraqi govern- “What matters in terms of the Turkish soldiers and wounded two Hariri Centre for the Middle East, Iraq studies at the Ankara-based ment, the KRG and Iran. foreign and security policies of the others in an attack in northern Iraq. said the operation has been po- think-tank ORSAM. “The PKK has invested heavily in concerned actors in the Middle East The Turkish Army said it cap- liticised ahead of the June 24 elec- “Following Turkey’s Afrin opera- the areas bordering Iran and there- today is no longer long-term strat- tured four AT-4 anti-armour missile tions, but it was rooted in security tion, PKK moved to northern Iraq fore the success of the operation egies or diplomatic overtures and launchers from the PKK in the Iraqi concerns. and concentrated in the regions also requires either the consent of niceties, but creating advantageous Kurdish region on May 26, the same “It does appear Ankara wants to neighbouring Qandil mountains.” the Iranian government or at the de facto situations on the ground,” day Turkish President Recep Tayyip sever the supply lines to Qandil and Turkish military, he said, would least a unilateral decision on the he said. Erdogan announced that 414 PKK to cut off infiltration routes from have to wait for the formation of side of the Turkish government that “So management of risks in re- fighters had been killed in Opera- Iraq to Turkey,” he said. subordinates bilateral relations and lated issues and concerns are of sec- tion Tigris Shield. Turkish troops took control of hence decisively risks Turkey’s rela- ondary importance. Hence Turkey, Thousands of Turkish comman- the Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin this tions with Iran,” he said. if it reaches a decision regarding its dos advanced about 20km into year following a military campaign If a buffer zone is Han said that, if the operation relations with Iraq, KRG and Iran, Duhok and Erbil provinces, part against the Syrian Kurdish People’s established, it would not proves successful, it could create could well take this to be an oppor- of the Kurdistan Regional Govern- Protection Units, a PKK offshoot. be a “picnic” area and a huge effect on nationalistic-con- tune moment.” ment (KRG), local media reports Turkey’s ground and air opera- there would be serious servative segments among Turkish said. The Turkish Army reportedly tions in northern Iraq were justi- electorate Menekse Tokyay is a freelance established several military control fied by Ankara through the inter- security risks that need to “Turkey can cut off the supply journalist in Ankara. She can be points in the provinces. nationally recognised “hot pursuit” be managed. lines from Qandil to northern Syria followed on Twitter: @MenekseTK.

Viewpoint An anti-Erdogan storm is brewing in Washington

y way or no the far-right. They have long been As for Golge, those who know Erdemir and Edelman note: “The way.” That is sceptical of the United States and the scientist say he was sentenced Turkish president has chosen to “ perceived to the European Union. As far as they to nearly eight years in prison for bargain with each country ac- be the brand of are concerned, Erdogan’s push plotting to overthrow the Justice cording to his agenda, using his Yavuz Baydar politics pursued away from Western norms is fine. and Development Party (AKP) hostages as leverage to gain con- by Turkish The report sheds light on the government. cessions. The United States and the PresidentM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. darkest aspect of these policies: It’s not only about American citi- European Union need a coherent, Or so many of Turkey’s Western the Western nationals thrown into zens. “More than 30 Western na- transatlantic strategy to counter allies believe. Turkish prisons for charges that tionals have been jailed in Turkey Erdogan’s hostage diplomacy, It’s true that Erdogan has seen law experts find ridiculous, kept following the coup attempt and at not only to ensure the release of international relations as an area as potential swap elements, whom least nine remain in prison as of Western nationals in prison but in which he could test his will and Erdogan hopes will “soften and June 1, 2018,” the report stated. also to prevent other incidents in has resorted to extreme measures tame” those governments he sees “Under the state of emergency, the future.” when his assertive approach didn’t as messing with him and his close they could be legally held up to Edelman is a powerful figure in work. circles. The FDD report makes a seven years in pretrial deten- Washington’s inner circles. He is A report by the Foundation for key point about the unexpected tion, with limited access to legal at the forefront of promoting tit- Defense of Democracies (FDD), a fallout of Erdogan’s “My way or no or consular support and are not for-tat policies and he is not alone. Washington think-tank, is relevant way” approach. It became a trap entitled to attorney-client privi- Almost the entire US Congress is in this regard. for some Western capitals that lege… Increasingly, another aspect up in arms. It’s worth noting that Titled “Erdogan’s Hostage Diplo- chose a policy of appeasement of these mass arrests has emerged: Brunson is from the same religious macy: Western Nationals in Turk- because of Turkey’s strategic posi- Since last summer, American and denomination as US Secretary of ish Prisons,” the report is written tion. European officials have on several State Mike Pompeo. by senior analyst Aykan Erdemir At least two American citizens occasions condemned Turkey’s I spoke to the report’s other and a former US Ambassador to are now in Turkish jails, both ‘hostage diplomacy’ — efforts by author, Erdemir, a secular young Turkey Eric Edelman. The 36-page detained on sensational charges. the Turkish government to make Turkish politician declared persona document is a chilling read. It Andrew Brunson, an evangelical political bargaining chips out of non grata in Turkey, and it’s clear dwells on the threat to solutions- pastor from North Carolina, tended Western prisoners arrested in Tur- that a storm is brewing in Wash- oriented international diplomacy, a tiny congregation in Turkey for key since the coup.” ington. In the US capital, Erdogan especially when staunch allies are more than 20 years. He was ar- The report is a reminder that and his aides are seen as delusional at odds. rested in the fall of 2016, months those arrested since the failed about the effects of targeted sanc- The disarray caused by Turkey in after the attempted coup. Serkan coup, many of them political pris- tions via the Magnitsky Act on recent years has had almost entire- Golge, a Turkish-American physi- oners, number more than 100,000. high-level AKP figures and their ly to do with Erdogan’s “My way cist who worked for NASA’s Mars It seeks to answer the “What to families. or no way” attitude. It has blurred programme, was also detained in do now?” question. As it says, this The question, however, remains: At least two NATO’s modus operandi and af- 2016. hostage diplomacy is not only What will happen if Erdogan and American citizens fected the battle against jihadism. The minister is accused of be- hurting Turkey’s global standing the AKP win the elections on June By manifesting increasing hostility ing a member of the Kurdistan but also propelling its transatlan- 24? are now in Turkish towards the West, Erdogan found Workers’ Party (PKK), the armed tic partners to consider sanctions There are no easy answers. jails, both detained new allies within Turkey’s old Kurdish group that Turkey regards against Ankara. More and more order. That is the group of Eura- as a terrorist group. The charges understand that discreet talks at a Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish on sensational sianist ex-officials and Kurdopho- say Brunson wanted to establish a bilateral level and “appeasement” journalist and regular columnist charges. bic, militarist civilian politicians on “Christian state under the PKK.” do not work. for The Arab Weekly. June 3, 2018 15 Debate Iran Is regime change Trump’s goal in Iran?

the conservative Heritage Founda- tion, listed 12 demands Iran had to Gregory fulfil. These included everything Aftandilian from no uranium enrichment (un- der the nuclear deal Iran was per- mitted to enrich uranium to a low omments by US Presi- level), inspection of military sites dent Donald Trump and ending its missile programme and his top foreign as well as its military and political policy advisers suggest support for proxies in the region. that the United States’ Pompeo said that, until Iran withdrawal from the agreed to these demands, the Unit- CIran nuclear agreement is not ed States would maintain crippling aimed at achieving a better deal sanctions on Tehran. but rather at bringing down the What is revealing about regime in Tehran. Pompeo’s speech was his remarks Early hints of this strategy during the question-and-answer came in May 2017 during Trump’s period that were glossed over by speech in Riyadh at the Arab- many observers. He said it was up Islamic-American summit. There to the Iranian people to “make a he stated that until the Iranian choice about their leadership. If regime is willing to be a partner for they make the decision quickly peace, all nations should isolate it, that would be wonderful, if they deny it funding and “pray for the choose not to do so, we will stay day when the Iranian people have hard at this until reaching the the just and righteous government outcome I set forward.” they deserve.” All this suggests that the Trump During his State of the Union ad- team’s “demands” are not real- dress before Congress in January, istic, knowing full well that the Trump said: “When the people of Iranian leadership would never Iran rose up against the crimes of accept them. Indeed, shortly after their corrupt dictatorship, I did not Pompeo delivered his speech, stay silent. America stands with Iranian President Hassan Rohani the people of Iran in their coura- denounced the demands by ask- Old grudges die hard. An Iranian cleric and a woman walk past an anti-US mural geous struggle for freedom.” ing rhetorically: “Who are you painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran. (AP) Trump not only wanted to to decide for Iran and the world? differentiate himself from his pre- The world today does not accept comes to mind, as does the revolt Iranian leadership for the new decessor, Barack Obama, who was America to decide for the world, as of the Iraqi Shias and Kurds in the Trump’s economic sanctions imposed by sharply criticised by Republicans countries are independent.” immediate aftermath of the Gulf desire for Washington and may rally around for not being supportive enough of It is apparent that Trump’s War of 1991. In both episodes, regime the Iranian flag. the Green Movement’s large street desire for regime change is sup- US presidents failed to act after change is Third, even if the Iranian people demonstrations in Iran in June ported and encouraged by Pompeo encouraging revolts and the result supported take to the streets again to oppose 2009. Trump was also signalling and national security adviser John was much destruction and blood- the regime, their economic hard- encouragement to a segment of Bolton, both of whom have long shed, plus a tarnishing of the US and ships, exacerbated by the sanc- the Iranian people to continue opposed the Iranian regime and reputation. encouraged tions, do not necessarily translate their anti-regime protests. now have the power to try to affect Second, the Trump team un- by top foreign into a pro-US position and, with Trump was criticised by many change. By suggesting that the derestimates the power of Iranian policy Trump being so disliked in much analysts for pulling out of the fate of Iran’s economy and politi- nationalism. Although much of advisers. of the Middle East, the potential nuclear deal without having a cal future lies in the hands of the the Iranian population — espe- demonstrators would not want to Plan B but, a week-and-a-half after Iranian people, this implies that cially the young, educated class be tarnished with a pro-US brush. Trump announced he was leaving the Trump team wants Iranians to — is opposed to the regime, as was The Trump strategy for regime the agreement, US Secretary of revolt against the regime. evident in the demonstrations of change in Tehran rests on a lot State Mike Pompeo, in a speech at However, this is a dangerous December 2017 and January 2018, of wishful thinking that may message that may prove to be this does not mean that they sup- backfire. counterproductive. port the US rejection of the nuclear The Trump strategy for regime First, the United States does deal or will take their cues from Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer change in Tehran rests on a lot not have a good record in encour- the Trump administration. in the Pardee School of Global aging people to revolt and then Being internet savvy and aware Studies at Boston University and of wishful thinking that may going to their aid. The Hungarian of the news, they will likely blame a former US State Department backfire. anti-communist rebellion of 1956 the United States more than the Middle East analyst. Iran’s Mujahideen-e Khalq has friends at the White House

the “Convention for Regime sey, former Homeland Security or so Bolton and other pro-MEK Change by Iranians.” The keynote Secretary Tom Ridge and former Whether mass Iran hawks say, should belong Bernd speakers at the event were Rudy FBI Director Louis Freeh. protests could to Rajavi, whose official title is Debusmann Giuliani, a long-time Trump friend In 2012, Hillary Clinton, then sweep away president-elect of the National and recent addition to his team secretary of state, took the group the Iranian Council of Resistance of Iran. For of lawyers; and Bill Richardson, off the terrorist organisations list. leadership the years, her organisation has been a former US ambassador to the It now has offices on Pennsylva- way they showered with praise for efficien- S President Donald United Nations and governor of nia Avenue, a short walk from the cy by a string of Iran hawks but Trump’s speech an- New Mexico. White House. ousted Hosni many Iran experts say the exiles nouncing the United Richardson warmed up the The way MEK leaders and their Mubarak in enjoy little internal support. States’ withdrawal crowd with a question. “Are you American backers see it, the end Egypt is very The experts draw parallels from the nuclear ready for regime change in Iran?” is near for the Iranian theocracy much open to with the Iraqi National Congress agreement with Iran he asked. “Yes, we are,” roared the and renewed US sanctions prom- doubt. (INC), an exile group set up by Ufell just short of calling for regime crown in the ballroom of a five- ised by Trump will hasten it. This Ahmed Chalabi. He had the ear change in Tehran. However, that star Washington hotel. view is largely based on Iran’s of US President George W. Bush has long been the aim of Trump’s Giuliani, greeted like a rock-star, economic problems and mass and received millions of dollars new national security adviser, won cheers by describing as “my protests across the country in to hasten the downfall of Saddam John Bolton, and the Iranian exile hero” Maryam Rajavi, the Paris- December and January, initially Hussein and take over the Iraqi group he champions. based head of the MEK’s political against economic policies and government. The INC had little The group is the Mujahideen-e wing, the National Council of Re- later against the supreme leader, influence in post-Saddam Iraq. Khalq (MEK). It has a controversial sistance of Iran (NCRI). “We are all Ali Khamenei. How much influence Bolton history and is backed by several going to be in Iran pretty soon,” At the Washington conven- will have on US policy on Iran prominent public figures in the Giuliani said. tion, organisers displayed maps remains to be seen. However, United States. They see the MEK Giuliani and Richardson have showing 141 towns and cities Trump’s warning that Iran would as a viable opposition to the Ira- been frequent speakers at MEK where they said protests had have “bigger problems than it has nian theocracy but, despite years events. They have supported the taken place. It was the largest had ever before” if it worked on a of trying to influence US policies group’s campaign to be taken off public display of discontent since nuclear bomb echoed his security at the highest level, the exiles the US State Department’s list the 2009 Green Movement when adviser’s language on previous never managed to find a friend at of terrorist organisations. The hundreds of thousands took to occasions, if toned down for con- the White House. Now, they have. Clinton administration put the the streets to protest elections sumption on the world stage. How much the anti-mullah MEK on the list in 1997. It was a they considered rigged to favour In 2015, as negotiations on the Iranian exiles are emboldened by time it hoped to open a dialogue Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran deal drew into their final Trump’s scathing criticism of the with Iran, whose leaders detest Whether mass protests could stage in Geneva, Bolton was even Iran deal and the ascent of Bolton the MEK for having sided with sweep away the Iranian leader- more blunt. In an opinion article to national security adviser is Saddam Hussein in the Iraq-Iran ship the way they ousted Hosni in the New York Times, he wrote: clear from something that hap- war. Mubarak in Egypt is very much “The inconvenient truth is that pened May 5 in Washington. Among the people who lobbied open to doubt. Still, Trump, in only military action… can accom- The MEK called a gathering for the MEK to be taken off the his tear-up-the-deal speech as- plish what is required.” of more than 1,000 followers list were former CIA chiefs James sured disgruntled Iranians of his Woolsey and Michael Hayden as backing, saying: “I want to deliver Bernd Debusmann is a writer well as former chairmen of the a message to the long-suffering on foreign affairs based in The way MEK leaders and their US Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace people of Iran: The people of Washington. He has reported and Hugh Shelton. Others who America stand with you… The fu- from more than 100 countries American backers see it, the end supported the MEK were former ture of Iran belongs to its people.” and was wounded twice while is near for the Iranian theocracy. Attorney General Michael Muka- The leadership of the people, covering the civil war in Lebanon. 16 June 3, 2018 News & Analysis East West MI6 looking for ‘Jamal Bond’

Mahmud el-Shafey nationality rules slightly more flexible to support our diversity agenda and enable a wider selec- London tion of candidates to join us,” an MI6 recruitment official said. n ad campaign by Britain’s Speaking at a news conference MI6 intelligence agency announcing the recruitment drive, sought to recruit women MI6 Chief Alex Younger said: “I A and ethnic minorities to want this opportunity to dispel the the service. At a time when the myths that still too often see po- United Kingdom is facing unprec- tential candidates rule themselves edented threats from non-state ac- out. My message remains simple: tors, particularly the Islamic State There is no standard MI6 officer. If (ISIS), the recruitment of agents you have what it takes, then apply from diverse cultural backgrounds to join us.” could prove invaluable. “Regardless of background, if The advert — the first televised you have the skills we need and one from the intelligence agency share our values, I want you to — featured a shark menacingly consider a career in intelligence in swimming in an aquarium before a service that reflects today’s soci- the camera pulls out to show a ety, MI6 needs the best people this startled child being comforted by country has to offer,” he added. her mother. In an exclusive interview with “We are intelligence officers but Britain’s Guardian newspaper, an- we don’t do what you think,” the other first for MI6, Younger assert- advert’s voiceover says. “It is not ed that MI6 “need[ed] to reflect the Shark tank. A general view of the MI6 building in London. (AP) keeping your cool in the shark society we live in,” warning of the tank. It is picking up the silent cues dangers of “groupthink.” that matter. Understanding others. The Secret Intelligence Service, new positions before 2021. BAME candidates. be that Islamic extremism or any Helping them see things different- informally known as MI6, is the MI5, which handles domestic One Muslim MI6 agent, “Yas- other kind of extremism,” she said. ly. It is exploring the world beyond foreign branch of Britain’s intelli- intelligence cases, has had cam- min,” told the BBC that it was “I feel very, very strongly that your own. And if that sounds fa- gence service. It has been seeking paigns to recruit BAME candidates important that people from all if you are able to do something miliar it is because you do it every to shed its “James Bond” image for but as of 2016 did not have a single faiths and backgrounds join the to make a difference, you should day. MI6 — secretly, we are just like years. Younger describing the pop- senior staff member from such a intelligence service. “I would say make that difference.” you.” ular movie franchise as a blessing background. MI5’s website states extremism in any form is wrong, The head of MI6 recruitment, MI6 announced that it would be Figures for 2016 show that MI6, that 40% of its employees are speaking in 2006, went further, reviewing its recruitment criteria which had a staff of about 2,500, women and 8% come from a BAME saying: “We want to be truly repre- to secure a more diverse work- has a major gender and ethnicity background, a 100% increase from sentative and reflective but clearly force. Currently, candidates must imbalance. Women make up just ten years ago. if we are going to be reflective we be British and have at least one 24.1% of senior posts and 37.8% This is also not the first time MI6 Figures for 2016 show do need to have Muslims in our parent who is British. Having for- of non-senior staff. Just less than has sought to expand recruitment, that MI6, which had a organisations because of the in- eign-born parents rules out many 7% of non-senior staff come from particularly among ethnic minori- staff of about 2,500, sight and understanding that they potential recruits and second- a black, Asian and minority eth- ties. In 2007, some MI5 and MI6 bring.” generation immigrants often fail to nic (BAME) background and they agents spoke to the media under has a major gender meet that criteria. are not represented at all in sen- the condition of anonymity seek- and ethnicity Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab “We are making our services’ ior posts. MI6 is seeking to fill 800 ing to bolster recruitment among imbalance. Weekly correspondent in London. Interview British policy in Middle East ‘is treading water’

1917 Balfour Declaration, which the lifting of sanctions. pledged to establish a Jewish In an interview, Doyle discussed homeland in Palestine. More the way ahead for British policy in Sharmila Devi recently, British policy has aligned the region. more closely with the European The Arab Weekly (TAW): What Union, favouring a two-state impact is Britain’s vote to leave the London solution to the Israeli-Palestinian European Union or Brexit having conflict. In January, UK Foreign on its relationship with the Arab hris Doyle has Secretary Boris Johnson told then world? worked with the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Chris Doyle: “It’s unclear yet Council for that President Donald Trump’s how Brexit will change things Arab-British unilateral decision to recognise because it’s unclear exactly what Understanding Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was a Brexit will mean. What it means at (Caabu) from 1993 “moment of opportunity” for the moment though is that after graduating peace. Until then, the UK, like ministers, the prime minister, with a first-class most other European countries, officials are very much obsessed Chonours degree in Arabic and had criticised Trump’s decision by this because we’re having to go Critical juncture. Director of the Council for Arab-British Islamic Studies at Exeter Univer- and said it would not move their through this divorce period and Understanding (Caabu) Chris Doyle. (Courtesy of Chris Doyle) sity. In 2002, he was appointed embassies from Tel Aviv to renegotiation of our relationship director of Caabu, a non-profit Jerusalem. with the European Union and it’s organisation founded after the Britain is also working with dominating the policy agenda them on nearly everything. Iran, Israel and the United States. 1967 Arab-Israeli war by politi- France and Germany to help completely and utterly. Another thing to add is the issue of It will be Europe and the Middle cians, academics and journalists salvage what they can of the Iran “This means there’s very little Russia as clearly the threat East, not the United States, that “to address the lack of a clear nuclear deal, officially known as bandwidth for a strategic debate as perception from Russia has has to deal with the fallout. voice in British politics that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of to Britain’s role in the Middle East, escalated over the last few years. Europe has already taken refugees, valued relations with the Arab Action (JCPOA) after Trump as to how exactly it can contribute “I think we’re going to see very nothing like Middle East countries. world.” announced on May 8 that he to ending the major conflicts in little in the shape of British-led But refugees did become a Caabu advocates in the British would cease to support the accord. Syria, Yemen, Israel-Palestine and initiatives on any of these great domestic European issue over the parliament for a more positive UK The deal saw Tehran set limits on Libya and in the sense that British issues. At best, what you’d get now last few years. It also became an foreign policy towards the region. its nuclear activities in return for foreign policy generally is treading is a British focus on relationships issue in terms of extremism, the It briefs MPs, takes political water. on a trade level. I think this is the attacks we’ve seen in European delegations to the region and “You also have to add that the way Brexit is having an impact. capitals and European cities. The provides educational resources for “We could be heading other context here is a delicate “From the other side, other United States is somewhat more schools and colleges. towards a major war relationship with a Trump White states look at Britain and they’re removed from this. Donald Trump Caabu cites on its website House where all of a sudden very also on hold, they’re not quite sure has pretty much closed off the several issues that it finds prob- that involves Iran, important transatlantic norms are what Britain’s future role, future United States to Syrian refugees. lematic with British foreign policy Israel and the United being threatened and ripped up, status will be, its future attitude, The last time I looked, it was 11 towards the Middle East, includ- whether it be on climate change, even whether this current govern- Syrian refugees they’ve taken this ing Britain’s role in the 2003 States.” disarmament, relations with ment will survive, whether year and it’s further away from the US-led invasion of Iraq, what it Russia, NATO or trading relation- Theresa May will be prime centres of power of [the Islamic calls the “US project for coercively Director of the Council ships, which is clearly very minister in six months or a year’s State].” reforming” the region and arms worrying to a British policy time.” sales. for Arab-British establishment, which has been TAW: What might be the fallout Sharmila Devi is a former British Britain was a colonial power in Understanding (Caabu) very used to having warm ties with from the Iran crisis? correspondent in the Middle East the Middle East and its legacy the United States and ones where Doyle: “We could be heading and writes on political and social lives on, not least because of the Chris Doyle essentially we were agreeing with towards a major war that involves issues in the region. June 3, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West US Congress keeps eyes on Hezbollah’s influence over Lebanese Armed Forces

Mark Habeeb She criticised the Trump admin- istration for cancelling democracy- promotion programmes and ac- Washington tivities in Lebanon that she argued could have increased support for ollowing US President Don- “moderate” forces in the elections ald Trump’s withdrawal and perhaps prevented “Hezbollah, from the Iran nuclear deal and by extension Iran, from consoli- F and after Hezbollah’s strong dating control.” showing in Lebanese parliamentary Danielle Pletka, senior vice-presi- elections, the US Congress renewed dent at the American Enterprise In- its focus on the Lebanon-based Shia stitute and a harsh critic of Iran and group Hezbollah and its degree of Hezbollah, echoed Ros-Lehtinen’s influence, if not outright control concerns in her presentation to the over the Lebanese Armed Forces subcommittee. Pletka offered evi- (LAF). dence that the LAF and Hezbollah The US House of Representatives regularly coordinate and quoted Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Hezbollah Secretary-General Has- the Middle East and North Africa san Nasrallah as describing the LAF had a hearing May 22 to assess how as a “partner” and a “pillar” in what US interests would be affected by Hezbollah has described as the the Lebanese elections. Not surpris- “golden formula, which means the ingly, the conversation focused on resistance, the army and the peo- Hezbollah, a group on the US State ple.” Department’s list of terrorist organ- Pletka asked: “Is it not inappro- isations, and its close ties to Iran. priate to worry that the government Both Democrats and Republicans of Lebanon is effectively itself be- on the subcommittee expressed coming a proxy of Iran?” concerns that Hezbollah’s success Tamara Cofman Wittes, a senior in the Lebanese vote further deep- fellow at the Brookings Institu- ened Iran’s position in Lebanon. tion’s Centre for Middle East Policy, US Representative Ileana Ros- a Washington think-tank, offered a Military politics. A Lebanese soldier walks past an American flag flying next to US-made Bradley Lehtinen, the Florida Republican different view, saying the elections Fighting Vehicles at the port of Beirut, last August. (AFP) who is chairwoman of the subcom- in Lebanon produced “ambiguous mittee, said she has “long been results amid very dynamic politics.” concerned over reports about LAF- Instead of describing the election The Trump administration does curity provider is a critical aspect cal Year 2019, the House Armed Ser- Hezbollah cooperation and US com- outcome as a Hezbollah victory, not seem prepared to significantly of our policy to promote Lebanese vices Committee added a require- mitment to the LAF.” She noted Wittes said, it was more accurate to alter its policy towards the LAF. US sovereignty and security.” ment that the president submit to that US law prohibited the United say that “Hezbollah ‘won’ the game Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, an- He added that “we are confident Congress within 90 days a report States from supporting the LAF if it of Lebanese politics for now, be- swering questions after his speech the LAF has not transferred equip- providing “an accounting of [Hez- was demonstrated that it was “con- cause in Lebanon no victory is ever announcing the administration’s ment to Hezbollah” but warned that bollah’s] known rocket arsenal, an trolled by a US-designated foreign final.” stringent demands on Tehran, said “we are concerned about Hezbol- evaluation of the impact of the UN terrorist organisation.” She concluded that “the greatest the United States would continue lah’s efforts to infiltrate Lebanon’s Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Ros-Lehtinen called on the Trump risk for American policy towards to support Lebanon and the LAF, security institutions and have made an evaluation of [Hezbollah’s] capa- administration to “take a clear-eyed Lebanon… would be to embark which he called “one of the few sta- clear that any cooperation with bilities, a description of routes used support to the LAF and reassess our on blunt-force policies, either by ble institutions” in the country. Hezbollah will risk our continued by [Hezbollah] to procure weapons security assistance.” walking away from the fight or by He added, however, that the De- cooperation and assistance.” illegally, an estimate of entities that Ros-Lehtinen challenged the ar- squeezing [Lebanon] into unwel- partments of State and Defence In another sign of continued US support [Hezbollah’s] network, an gument that the LAF offers the only come crisis.” To do so, she suggest- would closely monitor how the Leb- backing for the LAF, sources in assessment of [its] involvement in serious counterweight to Hezbollah ed, would only benefit Iran. anese government spends US assis- Washington reported that four A-29 regional conflicts and an assess- in Lebanon and should continue tance funds. Toscano light attack aircraft would ment of [its] fundraising in territo- to receive US backing. “After years US Army General Joseph Votel, be delivered to the LAF in June, as ries where UNIFIL operates.” of cooperation,” she said, “there The Trump administration head of the US military’s Central scheduled. is zero evidence that this policy is does not seem prepared to Command, in February told a con- Congress, however, has no inten- Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor working.” significantly alter its gressional committee that “our ef- tion of staying on the sidelines of US of The Arab Weekly and adjunct “There is no doubt that weakening fort to strengthen the Lebanese policy towards Lebanon. professor of Global Politics and Hezbollah should be US policy” in policy towards Lebanese security forces, especially the LAF, In the recently passed National Security at Georgetown University Lebanon, Ros-Lehtinen concluded. Armed Forces. as the country’s only legitimate se- Defence Authorisation Act for Fis- in Washington. Arab Gulf airlines resolve dispute with major US carriers

Thomas Frank and the Gulf countries claimed vic- tory. Ashley Nunes, a researcher at the Washington Centre for Transportation Logistics at the Massachusetts Institute of rab Gulf airlines have re- Technology, said in a recent Wash- solved a long-running dis- ington Post column that it was “de- pute with major US airlines batable” whether the US airlines A by signing agreements with won and they did not prove that the US State Department requiring Gulf airlines were being subsidised. them to disclose financial informa- “It’s a mixed outcome,” Nunes tion regarding government subsi- wrote, noting that the agreement dies. lets the Gulf airlines expand into The agreements address com- more US markets. plaints by US-based American Air- A coalition of US airlines and lines, Delta Air Lines and United labour unions said the UAE’s ac- Airlines that the United Arab Emir- knowledgment in the agreement ates and Qatar unfairly subsidised that government subsidies hurt their state-owned airlines. The US competition is “a significant con- airlines and labour unions have said cession after years of denials.” The for three years that they have lost agreement “marks a truly signifi- international passengers to Emir- Mixed outcome. An Etihad Airways plane prepares to land at the Abu Dhabi airport. (AP) cant moment in a years-long pur- ates airline and Etihad Airways — suit of a level playing field,” Delta both owned by the UAE government Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said in a — and Qatar-owned Qatar Airways The subsidies “nearly eliminated” ati airlines to be “transparent” about ment subsidies. statement. because the Gulf carriers sold sub- flights by US airlines from the Unit- their finances and “not operate be- Yousef al-Otaiba, the Emirati am- James Burnley, a former US sidised international flights at below ed States to the Middle East and In- hind an opaque accounting wall,” bassador to the United States, said, transportation secretary and now actual costs. dia, Navarro said. “The result of this Navarro added. The agreement with in an official record of discussion a consultant to American Airlines, The agreements are “a big win for unfair competition is that the three Qatar has a similar requirement. released by the US State Depart- said during the May panel discus- American workers and businesses,” [Gulf] airlines became the fastest- The US airlines have said that ment, that the “UAE and its desig- sion that the agreements reflect Peter Navarro, a trade adviser for US growing carriers in the world. The blurry accounting has allowed Gulf- nated carriers are and have been at the Trump administration’s push to President Donald Trump, said at a Dubai airport is one of the world’s based airlines to hide billions of dol- all times in full compliance with the advocate for US businesses in trade panel discussion at the Hudson In- busiest.” lars in government subsidies. [Open Skies] Agreement.” disputes. stitute on May 21, a week after the In the May 14 agreement between The Gulf airlines dispute that In a statement after he signed the “President Trump took the com- agreement was reached with the the UAE and the United States, both they were receiving subsidies, agreement with a State Department plaints and concerns seriously. UAE. A deal had been reached with sides “acknowledge that govern- which would violate bilateral avia- official, Otaiba praised the pact and President Obama did not,” Burnley Qatar in January. ment subsidies adversely affect free tion agreements the UAE and Qatar said it lets the Emirati airlines add said. “The subsidies are going to Navarro said the “oil-rich govern- and fair international competition,” have with the United States. The routes to and from the lucrative US have to be wound down, to a differ- ments of the UAE and Qatar provid- Navarro said. “Gulf carriers should Open Skies Agreements let airlines air-travel market. The Emirati air- ent order of magnitude at least.” ed over $50 billion in subsidies since pay the full and fair cost of opera- fly freely into and out of other coun- lines fly into 12 US cities. 2004” to their airlines, an assertion tions out of international airports.” tries if they don’t offer fares that are It’s not clear which side won from Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly the Gulf countries disputed. The agreement requires the Emir- kept artificially low through govern- the deals, as both the United States correspondent in Washington. 18 June 3, 2018 Economy

Jordanians stage Briefs nationwide strike to Morocco consumer protest tax hikes law boycott has big business Roufan Nahhas $7,000, 15% for the third, 22% for the fourth and 25% for each $1.40 in its sights above that. Amman Almost every industry or service A consumer boycott aimed at provider would be affected. Bank- major suppliers of milk, bottled rare nationwide strike, ing, financial and insurance sec- water and petrol in Morocco led by representatives tors would pay a 40% tax, up from prompted the government to call of more than 33 associa- the current 30%. The bill would for lower prices and led one firm A tions, unions and socie- increase the number of individual to scale down operations. ties, against an income tax draft taxpayers from 4.5% of the popu- The secretly organised cam- law in Jordan paralysed businesses lation of 10.1 million to 10%. paign is the first such mass online and service sectors in Jordan with Expanding the base of taxpayers protest in Morocco, which es- calls for action to pressure the gov- is something that cannot be avoid- caped the “Arab spring” uprisings ernment to withdraw the measure. ed, the deputy chief editor of the of 2011 but where demonstrations Thousands of people gathered Jordan Times Mahmoud al-Abed Jittery mood. Jordanians protest against a new income tax draft have erupted in impoverished May 30 at the Professional Asso- said, “simply because this govern- law in Amman, on May 30. (AFP) areas over jobs and economic ciations Complex in Amman and ment has committed itself to that neglect. shouted slogans against the gov- in the documents signed with the ernment and the income tax law. International Monetary Fund for a proposed new version of the in- Others took to social media to (Reuters) Shops and other private business- $700 million Extended Fund Facil- come tax law needs to be accom- say the government was taking in es displayed signs stating: “This ity programme.” panied by a reduction in the sales a lot of revenue from taxes on cars, shop is against the new income Nader al-Kassir, 40, owner of tax but I doubt it would happen.” houses and even sex, citing the ris- law and we are with the strike.” Al-Kassir Printing Press, said the The Jordan Restaurant Associa- ing prices for medication used to Despite warnings by govern- strike was the last option for a bat- tion, which represents more than treat erectile dysfunction. ment officials to their employees tered society. 1,000 restaurants, coffee shops, Professional associations not to participate in the strike, fast-food entities and bars, said warned that another strike would Egypt’s foreign many did. in a statement that the proposed take place June 6. They said the debt rises to “We cannot take it anymore. The bill would increase law would inflict huge damage next strike would call for over- A person cannot handle several the number of individual on a sector that has been dealing throwing the government if their $82.9 billion blows and survive,” said a 38-year- taxpayers from 4.5% of with high operating costs, includ- demands aren’t met. old married government employ- the population of 10.1 ing professional licence fees, work Further inciting the public, the as of end of ee, who spoke on condition of million to 10%. permits, social security contribu- government announced on May 31 anonymity. tions and rising labour costs. a fuel price increase of 5.5% — the December “I work for one of the ministries “The tax law will have a negative The Jordan Farmers Union also sixth increase this year — and a and I truly don’t care anymore. We effect on all and we say ‘Enough!’ joined the strike. Its general direc- 19% hike in electricity prices. Pro- Egypt’s foreign debt rose to need this law to be withdrawn and to the government that has in- tor, Mahmoud Oran, said the law testers in Amman focused on the $82.9 billion at the end of De- we need to feel secure again. This creased many taxes on almost indicated that the farmers would Prime Ministry headquarters and cember, up 4.9% compared to six is the first time the Jordanian soci- everything and we, as business have to pay taxes to the govern- security personnel intervened to months earlier, central bank data ety has risen as one against the in- people, we cannot handle it any- ment whether they make profits prevent people from leaving vehi- indicated. justice of the government so there more and our employees who are or sustain losses and this was not cles blocking roads. The ratio of foreign debt to should be something wrong hap- working day and night to make right as it did not identify limita- Video on social media showed gross domestic product reached pening to us as people.” ends meet cannot handle it any- tions on losses or profits for the demonstrators calling for the “fall 36.1% as of the end of the second The Jordanian industrial sector, more. We need the government to agriculture sector. of the government” and verbally quarter of the 2017-18 financial which employs more than 230,000 be a real government and to help The Jordan Medical Associa- attacking Jordanian Prime Min- year, which the bank said is “still people, said in a statement that the citizens and not make their life tion, which has more than 140,000 ister Hani Mulki and his cabinet. within the safe limits according to law would “contribute to less for- harder,” he said. members, called on its members to Blocked roads and blazing tyres international standards.” eign investments and the closures “We know that tax in other join the strike and treat only emer- were shown on social media in all Egypt’s fiscal year begins in of factories and will consequently countries such as Europe is high gency cases. The Jordan Pharma- major governorates in Jordan. July. lead to the loss of jobs for many but there are excellent services, cists Association requested phar- The demonstrations continued Jordanians.” roads, better medical insurance, et macies to close from 9am-2pm and until after Friday prayers June 1 (Reuters) The proposed law, which needs cetera but what do we have here? the Jordan Bar Association asked when news that Jordanian King to be endorsed by the cabinet, ex- The government said it is provid- its members to stop working. Abdullah II stopped the govern- empts individuals whose yearly ing excellent services to us as citi- Some protesters expressed anger ment from raising fuel and elec- income does not exceed $11,275 zens. Well I say they need a reality with humour and satire. One wore tricity prices helped calm the situ- ($22,551 for families). The meas- check,” he said. a spacesuit with a sign saying: “We ation. ure would place an extra 5% tax “The Centre for Strategic Stud- came from Mars to support Jorda- Lebanon to on the first $7,000 exceeding that ies did a study and I think it makes nians.” Another protester said: “I Roufan Nahhas is a journalist threshold, 10% for the second sense (in pointing out that) the am an engineer and not an ATM.” based in Jordan. begin offshore oil exploration Maximising opportunities for UAE start-ups Lebanon’s energy minister said the first phase of oil and gas ex- ploration off the coast has begun. N.P. Krishna Kumar Shawwa said that since 2013, nered with different potential com- lect number of entrepreneurs, of- Cesar Abi Khalil said he had the UAE chapter has grown to 32 petitors in order to enhance and fering systemic mentoring, a so- approved an exploration plan entrepreneurs from 22 companies expand their services to customers phisticated advisory board and submitted by three international Dubai across all industries.” within the cosmetics industry — at access to networks but, as a non- companies who will search in Shawwa said that from the time lower cost, risk and logistical in- profit organisation, we can only two of the country’s ten offshore he Scale-Up UAE event entrepreneurs are inducted they vestment,” said Shawwa, referring physically help so many entrepre- blocks. shed light on the United benefit “in terms of organisation, to Patrick Chalhoub, Co-CEO of neurs at a time as it is extremely Abi Khalil said Lebanon’s first Arab Emirates’ entrepre- cost control, profitability and hu- the Chalhoub Group and Endeavor labour intensive,” he said. well will be drilled next year. T neurial system with lead- man resource efficiency maximisa- UAE board member. “Finding the right mentors is ers from various business sectors tion, which helps set the stage for “In addition, it is significant for critical. Ask them about their big- (The Associated Press) speaking about their experiences scalability on a global scale.” entrepreneurs to realise the impor- gest mistakes and learnings. Ask and explaining why they mentor tance of cost-cutting over the long- them everything. Their feedback the next generation of entrepre- run, through proper planning. can help you make better deci- neurs. Since 2013, the UAE chapter Such as if a catering start-up part- sions and highlight potential blind Early stage entrepreneurs spoke has grown to 32 nered with a strong food chain sup- spots.” on the types of scale-up chal- entrepreneurs from 22 plier who can offer them the right lenges they face and a later-stage companies across all tools to benefit from economies of Turkey seeks to one dwelt on why accelerator pro- industries. scale and widespread distribution Early stage entrepreneurs grammes are important and what channels, as an example,” he said. spoke on the types of reassure rattled they learn from them. The UAE government is helping scale-up challenges they Endeavor UAE, which put on Annual Scale-Up UAE events are with the Mohammed Bin Rashid face and a later-stage one investors Innovation Fund, the establish- the event, has been instrumental designed “to extend this knowl- dwelt on why accelerator in launching many start-ups that edge to the wider entrepreneurial ment of Area 2071 and similar ini- The Turkish government’s point have had an effect in the United community,” Shawwa said. “We tiatives, Shawwa said. programmes are important. man on the economy said he had Arab Emirates and the region. Noor try to offer value beyond the ‘as- “Where we feel entrepreneurs assured foreign investors that Shawwa, Endeavor UAE managing pirational’ discussions, offering really have the capability to cre- Regarding areas ripe for start- Ankara was committed to fight- director, said: “We work closely additional opportunities such as ate the highest impact is in the up ideas, Shawwa said there were ing inflation and implementing with our global organisation and on-the-spot clinics with legal, mar- scale-up phase,” he said. “Giving “raw inefficiencies and gaps across reform after the lira plunged to offer invaluable access to knowl- keting and HR professionals; speed start-ups a place to sit is great but most industries, leaving room historic lows. edge and experience that money networking sessions with inves- helping them overcome barriers to for entrepreneurs to solve them. Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet cannot buy.” tors or mentorship programmes growth will really benefit the eco- There is no shortage of opportu- Simsek met with dozens of asset Guided by Endeavor, new en- with early stage entrepreneurs.” system as a whole, because these nities and fields where entrepre- managers and bankers in London trepreneurs “generate sustain- The key takeaway from a panel are the companies who have gone neurs can start businesses. At the to bolster their faith in Turkey’s able economic growth and jobs, discussion was that partnerships beyond the start-up phase and end of the day, each entrepreneur economy after what many ana- become role models and help can prove to be imperative for the have a real capability to create jobs should move into a space he or she lysts recently saw as a currency nurture a culture of entrepreneur- rise and success of businesses, and stimulate economic growth.” is best positioned to add value in.” crisis. ship, which spurs investment and small or big. Shawwa admitted that more encourages people to innovate and “Patrick gave a great example needs to be done. “Endeavor does N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab (Agence France-Presse) think big,” Shawwa said. of how Chalhoub Group has part- a fantastic job working with a se- Weekly contributor in Dubai. June 3, 2018 19 Economy Energy Oil price uncertainty becomes major budget concern for Egypt

Amr Emam

Cairo

ncertainty over interna- tional oil prices are causing a budgetary crisis in Egypt U with the government hav- ing to allocate more funds to buy oil while selling it domestically at highly subsidised rates. When it drafted the 2017-18 budg- et, which went into effect last July, the Egyptian Finance Ministry esti- mated the average price of oil at $55 a barrel. However, with oil prices significantly higher than that in in- ternational markets, Egypt’s finan- cial planners are in a quandary. The price of oil stood at $68 after the news, down from $72. Even if OPEC increases production, oil prices are not expected to fall as low as the av- erage estimated by Egypt last year. “The rise in the price of oil will make it necessary for us to demand additional funds for oil subsidies,” said Petroleum Ministry spokes- man Hamdi Abdel Aziz. “This rise is Unpredictable fluctuations. A worker gestures for cars to move as others fill up at a petrol station in Cairo. (AFP) proving very problematic.” The price of oil recently hit $80 a barrel but the price retreated to in the price of oil costs Egypt $56.5 cuts, he said, were part of an agree- in May reviewed Egypt’s economic to upgrade the transit system. $77 a barrel on May 26 after Saudi million a year in additional subsi- ment with the International Mon- reforms before dispensing $2 bil- Egypt has seen rising food prices Arabia and Russia said they were dies. etary Fund (IMF), which in 2016 lion, the fourth instalment of the during the same period, although ready to ease supply curbs. There “Oil price fluctuations are always granted Egypt a $12 billion loan. IMF loan. that was more closely related to are expectations the price will con- a budget planning hazard,” said oil IMF First Deputy Managing Direc- a currency flotation in November tinue to decline as oil producers’ and gas expert Ramadan Abul Ela. tor David Lipton said Egypt could 2016. increase output. “Nobody can blame the budget Egypt allocated $6.2 billion not afford to delay reductions in The expected fuel subsidy cut The volatility in the oil market planners because oil prices are nev- for oil subsidies in the energy subsidies or it would strain could not come at a worst time be- could cause financial problems for er predictable.” 2017-18 budget, up $4.2 the budget at a time of high global cause most Egyptians are struggling the Egyptian government. Oil price increases may speed up billion from the previous oil prices. to cope with previous fuel, electric- Egypt allocated $6.2 billion for oil a plan by the Egyptian government fiscal year. There is fear, however, across ity and water subsidy cuts, econo- subsidies in the 2017-18 budget, up to further cut fuel subsidies. In No- Egypt that the cuts would cause mists said. $4.2 billion from the previous fis- vember 2016, it slashed fuel subsi- a widespread rise in commodity “This cut will eventually come cal year. Local oil production covers dies almost 50%. Egyptians were “The plan,” he said, “is for the prices. at the cost of the poorest classes 65% of national consumption, said preparing for a further subsidy cut government to slash fuel subsidies When the government intro- of society,” said Alia el-Mahdi, an Abdel Aziz. Egypt spends about even before international oil prices by a further 26% but we are still duced a 50% cut in fuel subsidies economics professor at Cairo Uni- $800 million a month to cover the increased. waiting for approval by the cabinet in November 2016, transport fares versity. “There has been immense remaining domestic oil demand. Abdel Aziz ruled out links be- on this plan before it is executed.” doubled. Cairo raised Metro fares — pressure on the poor because of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah tween the expected subsidy cut and The subsidy cuts were recom- some doubled overnight — in May, economic reforms, even as the gov- al-Sisi said each rise of $1 per barrel the rise in oil prices. The subsidy mended by an IMF delegation that saying it needed additional revenue ernment says they are inevitable.” Algeria weighs risks, benefits from refining its oil abroad

Lamine Ghanmi to make the Algerian group “one by 2020. of the five major oil firms in the Analysts and former energy offi- world,” said Sonatrach CEO Abdel- cials said red tape and rigid man- Tunis moumen Ould Kaddour. agement policies caused Algeria to The acquisition sparked debate miss out on plans to build new re- lgeria refined 400,000 expanding about Algeria’s refinery fineries and upgrade its old plants tonnes of its crude oil into business abroad. Some experts said because it was spending the need- petroleum products at an expected increase in electric ve- ed funds on imports of petroleum A plants abroad in the first hicle sales and greater efficiency in derivatives. quarter of 2018 as part of a strat- internal combustion and jet engines “The good question is why build- egy established by Algeria’s state- were likely to decrease demand for ing new refineries or upgrading old owned oil company Sonatrach to gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, ones do not progress as planned slash costs of imported petroleum potentially reducing refining prof- or they are in hold,” said former goods. its. A study by the International Sonatrach CEO Abdelmadjid Attar. Sonatrach Managing Director of Energy Agency stated that the fight “Upgrading the small refinery Strategy Farid Ghezali said costs to limit climate change would cause in Algiers had started five years for imported petroleum products in oil demand to decline. ago but it has yet to be completed. January totalled $51.3 million, com- Skikda’s refinery upgrading was pared with $188.2 million in Janu- completed but it does not work at ary 2017. He attributed the drop to Algeria exported 27.2 full capacity of 16 million tonnes. processing oil abroad. million tonnes of crude oil Hassi Messaoud’s plant expansion Ghezali, speaking at a news in the first quarter of 2018, has just started and the planned conference May 23, said 400,000 slightly down from 28 refinery in Tiaret is still a project tonnes of Algerian crude oil were million tonnes in the same on paper only, he said in defence shipped abroad during the first of Sonatrach’s foreign acquisitions. three months of this year to be re- period last year. “It (Augusta refinery) has a ca- fined at foreign plants. pacity of processing 180,000 bar- Algeria exported 27.2 million As a result, the profit margins rels per day — about 10 million tonnes of crude oil in the first quar- of refineries owned by companies tonnes per year — to make it the ter of 2018, slightly down from 28 such as Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, second biggest Algerian refinery af- million tonnes in the same period France, Total and China’s biggest ter Skikda’s plant,” he said. “It has last year. The drop was due to Al- refiner Sinopec are expected to de- the advantage of processing the Al- geria’s reduced quota as an OPEC cline 70% or more in the next dec- Towards more autonomy. Outside view of Sonatrach headquarters gerian oil and other oils of different member and its export of oil for re- ades. in Algiers. (Reuters) qualities.” fining overseas, Sonatrach said. Ould Kaddour, however, was Oil expert Ferhat Ait Ali said that, However, the value of oil and adamant that the refinery purchase when factoring in environmental gas sales abroad increased 17% for would prove successful. with a processing capacity of 10 state. risks, transport costs and the loss the period, bringing in $9.8 billion. “The Augusta refinery opens an million tonnes per year. Algeria’s demand for petroleum of jobs at home, the acquisition Oil sold at an average $68 per bar- outlet for Algeria’s crude oil while Experts who backed Sonatrach’s products increased an average of could yield no tangible gains for rel during the first three months it improves the supply of Algeria’s approach said Algeria lost out on 7% each year since 2007, the En- Algeria. this year, versus $53 per barrel last domestic market in petroleum potential revenue by not having its ergy Ministry said. “The average gain from the pro- year. Government’s tax earnings products. This will give us more own capacities to refine oil. They In 2012, Sonatrach announced a cessed oil in Augusta is $5 per bar- from hydrocarbons sales during the autonomy and reduce costs as we said the country paid $16 billion for plan to process crude oil in Algeria rel from which fixed and variable quarter jumped 40% to $6.5 billion, control the whole chain of produc- imported oil derivatives from 2011- by upgrading refineries in Algiers, costs and taxes for Italy are to be compared to 2017. tion,” he said. 17. Arzew and Skikda at a cost of $4.5 subtracted,” he said. “If we were The energy sector represents 95% “We have no plan, for now, to buy Algeria’s domestic consumption billion. It said it planned to build to add shipping costs abroad and of Algeria’s exports and up to 60% a second refinery abroad but if we of petroleum products averages five refineries, including a plant back home, I doubt that the Au- of the state budget. see an opportunity we will go ahead around 15 million tonnes per year. near its biggest oilfield, Hassi Mes- gusta buying would be a good thing Sonatrach, encouraged by ris- with it. We must learn how to do Its refineries produce 11.5 million saoud, that would cost $10 billion. to do. This is without including the ing oil prices, bought the Augusta business.” tonnes annually, leaving a deficit That would increase its oil refin- advantage of autonomy to have a oil refinery in Sicily and three oil Algerian state media said the that is covered by $2 billion worth ing capacity to 31 million tonnes refinery at home providing jobs for terminals in Italy as part of a plan plant has a price of $800 million of imports a year, government data this year and to 41 million tonnes local people.” 20 June 3, 2018 Society Ramadan TV Shows Ramadan soap operas stir controversy in Egypt

Ahmed Megahid tian ambassador in Khartoum to protest the way “Abu Omar al-Mas- ri” portrayed parts of Sudan and Cairo accused the series of defaming the Sudanese people. o sooner had the televi- The diplomatic furore forced the sion series “Roba Rumi” show’s network, On-E, to issue a (“Quarter of a Kilo of statement seeking to calm ten- N Rumi Cheese”) begun air- sions. “The makers of ‘al-Masri’ ing than it was the target of several series understand well the impor- lawsuits. tance of art in bringing people to- The court cases were filed by gether and do not aim to provoke people who say the series, one any crises,” the statement said. of many airing during Ramadan, “They also understand the im- humiliates them. The plaintiffs portance of Egyptian-Sudanese include lawyers who allege the se- relations and the crucial strate- ries makes fun of them, antiquities gic partnership between the two specialists who claim the drama countries.” accuses them of corruption and “Roba Rumi” tells the story of historians who say the programme a low-ranking antiquities official, incites disrespect for the ancient played by Fouad, who tries to steal Egyptian civilisation. an antiquity from a newly discov- ered tomb to solve his financial problems. However, Fouad’s char- More than acter is struck by the “curse of the 30 pharaohs” and is transformed into Ramadan soap operas a rat. The series focuses on his two inept sons’ attempts to break the are airing this year, curse and return their father to hu- tackling topics from man form. Another Ramadan series in hot terrorism and corrup- water is “Khefet Yad” (“Sleight of tion to revolution and Hand”), in which a character dis- From the studio to the courthouse. Billboards for TV Ramadan series are seen in the streets of Cairo, guises himself as a Coptic priest on May 15. (AFP) the police. while running from police, which angered many Coptic Christians. “The viewers need to under- It led scriptwriter and actor Mu- Shennawi, ¨but the fact that all Most of the Ramadan soap ope- “Some of the works are very good stand that we have deep respect fid Mounir to say the programme these objections are raised shows ras are aired on privately owned and demonstrate a real departure for everybody in society,” said Bay- “meant no offence and that respect there is little tolerance for criticism channels. They have earned $120 from the artistic decades of the oumi Fouad, who plays one of the towards the clergy is obligatory in our country.” million through deals with adver- past,” Shennawi said. “The same main characters in “Roba Rumi.” even in a comedy series aiming for Soap operas have long been a tising agencies, local media said. works will also give rise to a new “This is a mere work of art that fun.” major part of Ramadan in Egypt. These massive figures are reviv- generation of TV professionals who mimics reality but in a comic man- At a time when there has been More than 30 Ramadan soap ing hopes that Egypt can return to will take this country’s dramas many ner and everybody knows this.” international attention on the free- operas are airing this year, tackling its traditional leading role in Arab steps forward in the coming years.” These are among the controver- dom of expression in Egypt, the is- topics from terrorism and corrup- culture, particularly in terms of its However, growing intolerance to sies that Ramadan soap operas sue of Ramadan series seeking to tion to revolution and the police. film and television industry. While artistic creativity upsets actors such have generated this year, a by- spark a debate on real-world ills, TV producer Essam Shaaban Egyptian entertainment had once as Fouad, who said he was disap- product of special programmes, such as corruption, poverty and estimated the amount of money enjoyed a peerless position, dete- pointed by angry reaction to his often featuring some of Egypt’s terrorism, is a hot-button issue. spent on soap operas this year riorating artistic qualities of Egyp- work. biggest stars, that run every night Entertainment critics say art was $56.5 million. “The producers tian works allowed for cultural To avoid trouble, he suggested — during Ramadan. should be viewed with a mind to- have made huge profits as well,” influences from other countries, sarcastically — that producers get One of the series threatened to wards artistic rules, not by rules of Shaaban said. “A large number particularly Turkey and Lebanon, approval from the professional un- cause a diplomatic row between society. of the soap operas succeeded in to step in. ions before turning the scripts into Egypt and Sudan for portraying a “Everybody watching knows securing broadcast deals with a Some of the works aired this TV programmes. Sudanese village as a hotspot for that these are works of art that large number of private channels, year, critics said, showed that “Artists want to live their life in Islamist terrorists. The Sudanese should not be judged by the rules including other Arabic countries’ Egyptian drama is coming back peace,” Fouad said. “I cannot go to government summoned the Egyp- of reality,” said TV critic Tarek al- channels.” very strongly. jail for playing a role in a TV work.” Tunisian court pulls plug on controversial hidden camera TV show

Stephen Quillen with the Zionist entity.” Walid Zribi, the programme’s producer, denied that guests had Tunis been intimidated and said the show was an important portrayal hidden-camera televi- of corruption and hypocrisy at the sion programme in which highest levels. He said he received prominent Tunisian fig- numerous death threats since the A ures were lured into mak- series was broadcast. ing deals with purported Israeli He is not the only one to be agents was ordered off the air by a threatened with violence because Tunisian court. of the show’s content. “Shalom,” broadcast by Tounes- Political activist Mondher Ga- na TV, was suspended May 28 after frache, who was shown on “Sha- a complaint was filed by the left- lom” readily agreeing to deal with ist political party Popular Front, Israel, was hospitalised May 27 which said the programme was a after being assaulted in his home- form of “normalisation with the town of Gabes. state of Israel.” Days earlier, conservative cleric In the programme, well-known Adel Almi, who also appeared on Tunisian politicians and other the programme, reportedly broke public figures were secretly filmed into the headquarters of a Tunisian agreeing to work with Israel in ex- radio station that published details change for money. Others were of the show and demanded to be adamant about refusing any entice- put on the air. ment to strike such deals. Almi, who was listed by Shems In one episode, a left-wing poli- FM as among those who agreed to tician who is a vocal critic of Israel deal with Israel on “Shalom,” was said he has “no problem” with the arrested after allegedly attacking Jewish state. In another, a political employees of the news organisa- activist said he would be happy to tion and threatening to kill him- help influence public opinion in fa- Agents provocateurs? Walid Zribi (C), producer of the hidden-camera television programme self. He has since been suspended vour of Israel. “Shalom” poses with cast members. (Walid Zribi) as chairman of the Tounes Zitouna Some guests said they were co- political party. erced during the ordeal and that Zribi has appealed the court’s de- footage was deceptively edited. others criticised it for using manip- them to continue to participate in cision to suspend the programme “I was put under a lot of pres- ulative tactics, reinforcing negative Some guests said they were the meeting and extract statements and said he hoped to continue is not related to television and me- broadcasting. sure. I was terrified,” leftist poli- stereotypes of Jews and trivialising coerced during the ordeal tician Raouf Ayadi told Tunisian a serious issue. dia in any way,” the National Union “We have presented our argu- media. “Scenes in which an armed “How can a producer make nor- and that footage was of Tunisian Journalists said in a ments and… we will defend our bodyguard stopped me from leav- malisation a subject of entertain- deceptively edited. statement. product. If (the court) upholds this ing were left out.” ment when it is a crime?” asked said the programme represented “We are counting on the aware- verdict on appeal, we will respect “Shalom” sparked a row in Tuni- Rafik Ghanmi of the Popular Front “entrapment” and that its produc- ness of Tunisians to boycott such that decision,” Zribi told Mosaique sia, a predominantly Muslim coun- during a radio broadcast with Mo- ers engaged in a “flagrant viola- programmes and renew our posi- FM. try that cut ties with Israel in 2000. saique FM. “This is not the way to tion” of journalistic ethics. tion on the principle of the neces- Some viewers praised it for “expos- approach the issue.” “The force and intimidation in sity of enacting a law to criminalise Stephen Quillen is an Arab Weekly ing hypocrisy and corruption” but Tunisia’s journalists’ syndicate dealing with guests and forcing normalisation in its various forms correspondent in Tunis. June 3, 2018 21 Society Ramadan For Arab-Israelis, nothing is different in Ramadan

Kaja Bouman been serving traditional Arab food since. “It’s always been the same dur- Jaffa ing Ramadan,” he said. “The first ten days people stay at home but n the Israeli city of Jaffa, al- later on in the month they come most 16,000 Arabs are fasting here in large groups; entire fami- for Ramadan but, at first sight, lies will come here to break the I there is little sign of that. fast.” Israel is no China, which forces Nassar said some days during Uyghur children and parents to Ramadan are busier than usual abstain from fasting during Ram- and he sometimes serves up to 150 adan, but Israel is still a Jewish people in one night. state. This means it is hard to find pepperoni pizza or a cheeseburger in Jerusalem and getting to Tel Many Muslims spend more Aviv or any other city from sun- time at the mosque than in down Friday and Saturday even- other months of the year ing by regular public transporta- and they dress more tion is simply impossible. conservatively. This also means that during Ramadan, despite Israel’s Arab population of 1.6 million, every- Like most Arab restaurants in thing stays the same. As opposed Jaffa, Nassar has never adjusted Festive season. Iraqi men buy food in an open air market in Mosul, on May 2. (AFP) to Arab countries in the region, the opening hours of his restau- such as Egypt and the United Arab rant during Ramadan because he Emirates, where, aside from ho- wants to keep serving his Jewish tels and expat restaurants, all eat- customers and tourists. “Most of ing venues are closed during the my customers are Jews. At my res- Ramadan spirit revived day and even working hours are taurant you get a lot of good, fresh adjusted. “It doesn’t matter,” said food for a decent price. Jews know restaurant owner Nassar Nassar, a good deal when they see one,” he 56. “You live life as it is and you joked. make the best of it.” The restaurant owner men- in post-ISIS Mosul It’s still early when Nassar sat tioned that it can be strange to be down with a glass of lemonade at in a Jewish state during Ramadan one of the tables in the outside but he also says it has its advan- Oumayma Omar area of his restaurant, Abu Nassar tages. “We don’t have any crazy Hinnawi, in Jaffa. The sun is low laws here,” he said, referring to above the ocean near the restau- those in some Arab nations where Mosul rant, which shows it’s not time to people can be fined for eating in end the fast. Nassar is not fasting public during Ramadan. fter iftar, the sunset meal this year. “I used to fast but it de- The situation in Israel is likened breaking the day-long fast pends on my mood,” he explained. to that in Western countries, such during Ramadan, Mosul as the United States or those in A residents gather in coffee Europe. Most Muslims in those shops. Many clutch water pipes During Ramadan, despite parts of the world are used to hav- or smoke cigarettes while families Israel’s Arab population ing others around them who are descend on parks along the Tigris not observing Ramadan and they River and shops remain open late of 1.6 million, everything don’t work shorter hours, as is the at night. Residents of Iraq’s second stays the same. case in certain Arab countries. largest city are enjoying their first Half an hour later, the call to Ramadan since the Islamic State prayer of the mosque next door (ISIS) was defeated. Aside from a handful of staff starts. The sun has disappeared For more than three years under members and five cats at the en- behind the dark waves of the sea ISIS’s draconian rules, the people of trance waiting for guests to break and the sky is a deep pink. Soon Mosul were deprived of observing A return to normalcy. Iraqi men play cards after breaking the fast their fast so they can break theirs Muslims will start heading to the festive Ramadan traditions. during the holy month of Ramadan in Mosul, on May 26. (AFP) with leftovers, no one is present in mosque. “The holy month became strange the restaurant. Many Muslims spend more to us because of the restrictions im- “During Ramadan, there are al- time at the mosque than in other posed by Daesh terrorists,” said Mo- “Restaurants and cafes are open till food to the table, my elder son and ways fewer people during the day,” months of the year and they dress sul municipality employee Asma late at night and some even stay un- myself. Moreover, we need to se- said Nassar. Jaffa is the southern more conservatively. Both are Yassin, using the Arabic acronym til dawn. Music is played in public cure the money to pay the rent,” and oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo. ways to disconnect themselves for ISIS. “We were banned from ex- places and comic prank shows are she said. Though most of the people living from worldly pleasures and to fo- ercising the simplest Ramadan ritu- showing on large screens in cafes. Oum Dalia said she misses the in Jaffa nowadays are Jewish, Jaffa cus on the prayers. als and traditions, which are inher- This is the way we should go about “true spirit of Ramadan” in her old is still known for its large Arab “They spend a long time in the ited over hundreds of years.” life, without prejudice and fanati- neighbourhood when the fasting population. mosque but after they will eat. “Ramadan this year is definitely cism. We have no other choice but month brought families and com- Nassar is a father of four and Hopefully here,” Nassar said. different. The people of Mosul are to move forward,” he said. munities closer together. has lived in Jaffa all his life. He determined to celebrate the way Ali Zanoun, a 30-year-old Mosul Obvious differences exist be- opened his restaurant next to Gi- Kaja Bouman is a Dutch journalist they did before ISIS. Life goes on resident, contends that ISIS’s intol- tween Ramadan celebrations on vat Alia Beach 32 years ago and has in Jerusalem. despite the calamities that we have erance provoked strong reactions the two sides of Mosul. In western been through,” said Yassin, who from the mostly conservative soci- Mosul, which was liberated in July lost her husband in shelling during ety in Mosul, which is rejecting any 2017 and contains the Old City, the battle to liberate the city. form of radicalism. Ramadan is barely noticeable be- Under ISIS, gatherings were pro- “The militants’ restrictive prac- cause of the destruction of build- hibited and many Ramadan tradi- tices are the reason for that. The ings and displacement of residents. tions were banned. Anyone who displays of joy and amusement are Celebrations in eastern Mosul, lib- defied ISIS’s rules was severely obvious in most parts of the city, erated in January 2017, were much punished, sometimes with lash- although many families are still liv- more visible, with many shopping ings. Some violators were executed. ing in dire conditions after losing and enjoying the month. Although the populace is rela- their homes and being displaced,” Eastern Mosul has witnessed in- tively conservative, many are not Zanoun said. creased stability and activity since fasting this year and are public with its liberation. This is the second their snacking. Issa Abdel Rahman, time the area celebrated Ramadan an 18-year-old student, is one of Celebrations in eastern without the presence of ISIS. Many them. Mosul, liberated in January famous Ramadan traditions have “The fear that dominated the 2017, were much more been revived, in particular the mes- people is now behind them. There visible, with many shopping saharati, the drummers who wake people up before the beginning of is no rule that compels anyone to and enjoying the month. observe fasting or even pray in the the fast to eat and whose perfor- mosque,” Abdel Rahman said. “My mances were banned under ISIS parents are conservative and ad- The relatively normal life in Mo- because the group viewed it as he- here to Islam’s teachings but they sul is concentrated in the newest retical. give me the freedom to practise part of the city that did not sustain Despite improvements, the leg- without pressure, which they were as much damage as the old city, acy of ISIS is still visible, including compelled to use during ISIS con- which was largely reduced to rub- destroyed homes and infrastruc- trol.” ble. ture, the lack of services and the Under ISIS, those who were not Ramadan is not as joyful for Oum general poverty. fasting had to eat in private or in Dalia, a widow and mother of five ISIS won’t soon be forgotten be- cafes that covered their windows. children whose husband was killed cause of the great physical and Eating in public was extremely dan- by the militants and her home flat- moral damage it caused to the peo- gerous. tened in the battle. ple of Mosul. Now, however, many cafes are She does, however, say Ramadan staying open all day. is less stressful than the rest of the Oumayma Omar, based in Abdel Rahman hailed this year’s year thanks to the food assistance Baghdad, is a contributor to Ramadan spirit as being more joyful she receives from charities. “Out- the Culture and Society section Business as usual. Abu Nassar Hinnawi restaurant in the Israeli than even before the time of ISIS. side Ramadan, we strive to bring of The Arab Weekly. city of Jaffa. (Kaja Bouman) 22 June 3, 2018 Culture

Calligraphy in spotlight at London’s Mosaic Rooms

Karen Dabrowska have tried aesthetically to develop one kind of calligraphy. My con- cerns are context based and socio London political. I am interested in em- ploying language and text to create igns of our Times,” a dis- artwork that translates metaphori- cussion at London’s Mo- cally and sometimes physically the “ saic rooms, examined meaning of that story or that text,” S calligraphy as an art that Batal said. accounts for one-third of contem- She described a project com- porary Arab art. missioned by London’s Leighton The discussion was a reference House Museum to create a site-spe- to “Signs of Our Times: From Cal- cific piece for the Arab Hall. It was ligraphy to Calligraffiti,” a beauti- one or two years into the Syrian up- fully produced coffee table book rising when she was obsessed with by curator Rose Issa. It reviews an knowing the names of the people exhibition of the work of 50 artists killed by the regime. who use Arabic or Persian script in Showing a slide from her web- their art. site, Batal explained that “Mourn- Venetia Porter, British Museum ing Hall” is a reinterpretation of the curator responsible for the collec- Arab Hall. tion of Islamic art of the Arab world and Turkey, focused on Egyptian modernist painter Hamed Abdalla Two of the most striking (1917-85) whose work is on display paintings in the exhibition in the Mosaic Rooms until June 23. are “Revolution” Porter described Abdalla as a (“Thowra”) and “War” master of the “creative word” — (“Harb”). written words expressed in paint, blending abstraction and human forms. The exhibition uses words “This work was a response to the significant to him such as “revolu- lack of mourning spaces in Syria In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta. The entrance to the exhibition at Bank Al-Maghrib Museum. tion” and “war.” during the uprising. Temporary (Bank Al-Maghrib Museum) The displayed works of the artist, burial and mourning rituals were who studied calligraphy in Cairo, denied for the families of those are from the 1950s when Abdalla killed by the regime. Funeral ser- started to put words into his ab- vices were forcefully cancelled and stract art. “This is part of a phase people attempting to hold them Rabat exhibition celebrates when Middle Eastern artists were outside churches and mosques placing words in their paintings,” would be arrested,” she said. “As a Porter said. result, people resorted to midnight “In one of his works Abdalla has burials, often in orchards, public three decades of worldwide written two kilos of food per month and private gardens and instead of per family. He was very politically the usually observed three days of engaged and concerned about pov- mourning, acts of mourning would erty. Another amazing work is ‘Al turn into protests.” travel by Ibn Battuta Harb’ (‘The War’).” “Mourning Hall” is informed by Two of the most striking paint- both these emerging and missing ings in the exhibition are “Revo- practices. Each of the 15th-to-17th- Saad Guerraoui lution” (“Thowra”) and “War” century hand-painted Damascene (“Harb”). In a mixed media on tiles in the Arab Hall now holds a canvas work the word “Thowra” is name written in Arabic calligraphy Rabat depicted in shades of brown, black of a woman, man or child who was and grey. The image is bold and dy- killed in the last two years,” she n exhibition celebrating namic implying the energy of revo- added. Morocco’s most famous lutionary spirit that fills the canvas. Continuing the theme, Batal cre- mediaeval traveller Ibn It was painted in 1968, a year of pro- ated a memorial piece for people A Battuta and his 14th-cen- test and civil disobedience interna- killed in Gaza during the 2014 war. tury ventures to the East and West tionally, most famously in France Thin sheets of muslin hang, ten- Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, where Abdalla lived. dril-like, from small wooden rods. Andalusia and sub-Saharan Africa “Harb,” from 1963, depicts the Light from windows filters through opened in Rabat and will remain on word “war” as a bull or a God of war the translucent material, illuminat- display until December. associated by Abdalla with capital- ing intricate whorls of Arabic script The exhibition at Bank Al- ism, imperialism and Zionism. It is embroidered onto the cloth. These Maghrib Museum pays tribute to shown abandoned in an immense are the names of 30 individuals Ibn Battuta’s travels and sheds light space of ashes and ruins, a remind- killed during Israel’s offensive on on the historical and strategic ties A journey into the past. An old map of Sicily on display. er of the Nakba of 1948 and the Suez Gaza. that Morocco enjoyed with several (Bank Al-Maghrib Museum) Canal crisis of 1956 in which Israel, Iranian artist Farhad Ahrarnia African countries during the 1300s. followed by the United Kingdom described his textile-based works “Not only does the exhibition and France, invaded Egypt. that make use of embroidery. He aim to pay tribute to the work of you speechless at first before turn- The museum is organising a se- “It is interesting to reflect on this said he was fascinated by the word this illustrious person but also to ing you into a storyteller” and Leb- ries of puppet show performances moment in time when Abdalla was “recite” — the first word of the share a common and strategic his- anese writer Amin Maalouf’s “Nev- that illustrates, in a fun way, Ibn doing this kind of work. It fitted Quran. All the stitching is done by tory for the relations that Morocco er hesitate to leave far, beyond all Battuta’s trips for the benefit of in with what is called ‘letterism,’ hand. He digitally prints the image had with its neighbours on the Af- the seas, all the borders, all the school groups. A conference, with in which Arab artists were making on canvas and painstakingly em- rican continent at that time,” said countries, all the beliefs.” three speakers who are researching gestures with script,” Porter said. broiders part of the surface with museum Director Abderrahim A silver commemorative medal Ibn Battuta, is scheduled for Octo- Lebanese artist Dia Batal spoke colourful silk thread. Chaabane. was coined for the exhibition and ber. about using the Arabic language to The exhibition highlights Ibn is available at the museum’s ticket Ibn Battuta spent many years create artwork that echoes cultural Karen Dabrowska is an Arab Battuta’s itinerary in North Af- booths and gift shop for 550 dir- on journeys that took him all over and contemporary concerns. “I Weekly contributor in London. rica, the Mediterranean basin, the hams ($58). North Africa, the Middle East, the eastern coast of Africa, Andalusia This coin depicts Moroccan Arabian Peninsula, the western and Sudan. It depicts the most im- King Mohammed VI in addition to coast of Africa, Persia, South East portant events and conflicts that the words “Mohammed VI” and Asia and China. Eventually he be- marked that time, including the “Kingdom of Morocco,” with the came homesick and longed for his power struggles to consolidate the vintages 2018-1439 on one side. On birthplace. independence of the various sul- the reverse side is the inscription He returned to Morocco by sea, tanates of the Abbasid Empire. “Ibn Battuta” with the years “1304- visiting Sardinia on the way and The exhibit features a variety of 1377” and a portrait of the great stopping in Tunis and Algiers. Soon coins minted by monarchs Ibn Bat- traveller. Ibn Battuta desired another trip. tuta met during his travels, maps In 1350, he crossed Gibraltar Strait showing his routes and excerpts and toured the Bani Nasr kingdom from his book, “A Gift to Those The exhibition at Bank before heading to Fez. There he Who Contemplate the Wonders of Al-Maghrib Museum sheds joined a caravan heading to Sijil- Cities and the Marvels of Travel- light on the historical and massa on the northern edge of the ling,” generally referred to as “The strategic ties that Morocco Sahara Desert in Morocco. In 1353, Travels.” Ibn Battuta crossed the Sahara to- Ahmed Ettahiri, curator of the enjoyed with several African wards what is today Mali and Niger. exhibition and research professor countries during the 1300s. Returning to Morocco in 1354, at the National Institute of Archae- Ibn Battuta settled in the castle of ology and Heritage Sciences, said The centre of the reverse in- the Marinid ruler Abu Inan Faris in Ibn Battuta, dubbed “the Great cludes a representation of the Fez. The caliph was so captivated Traveller,” was a true adventurer means of transport used during Ibn by Ibn Battuta’s tales of his travels who spent 29 years journeying Battuta’s journeys and the inscrip- that he ordered Ibn Juzayy to com- throughout the Muslim world. tion “120,000km,” which was the pile Ibn Battuta’s accounts into a Some of the world’s famous trav- approximate distance of his trip, in manuscript, which he completed el quotes are on display, including addition to a map representing his in 1357 and which was published as Thought-provoking art. “Al Tamazouq” (“Torn”) by Egyptian Ibn Battuta’s “Travelling — it leaves travels. “The Travels.” modernist painter Hamed Abdalla. (The Mosaic Rooms) June 3, 2018 23 Culture

BOOK REVIEW Writing a catharsis process for Libyan poet

London shouldn’t stay in a place of sad- and out of the eras to make a point “When it rained it would not ness,” Fray said. about how far we have come as pat on the windows because our ibyans can be In her presentation, “Weaving Libyans, the terrible things that ceilings are flat and the landscape Karen Dabrowska shaped by tragedy the Fabric of Fate,” she described are happening now and how his- turned to grey. These were the but should never be how the killing of her father in the tory repeats itself,” Fray said. things I really wanted to capture defined by it. That first days of the Libyan revolution “Libyan identity is going in my poetry. They are the things I was the message in 2011 led her to write as a cathar- through a crisis. We borrow from still think about when I go back to from Libyan poet sis for the pain she felt. so many different cultures. We Libya even if there is widespread Farrah Fray, who Fray published a collection of don’t listen to our own songs; destruction. There are so many Lspoke about her work at Lon- 52 poems, “The Scent of My Skin: we listen to Western songs. We beautiful things and I try to make don’s P21 Gallery, which hosted From Libya, London and every need to be proud of the things stories out of them. I try to build a an exhibition of contemporary world I live in,” in 2017. It looks at that make us Libyan. Libya is blue narrative into all my poems.” Libyan art. the role of women, family rela- because it is the same as before. Fray said she realised how “When tragic events happen tionships and love across Libya, It is almost as if we have learned powerful a narrative can be when we should learn from them and London and the places the poet nothing. We are reaching out to she was in the fourth grade. “The extract happiness and hope. We has experienced. The poems deal different cultures but we need to narrative of the books was Libya with identity, liberation, displace- look at our past, our experiences is so great, we have all these ment and oppression. and our own memories.” amazing things,” she said, “but “The poems in my book The poem “June and July” de- when you see how this narrative have the message that you scribes sunburn and how women conflicts with what you see in the can grow from your experi- feel when they were being hit on real world there is discord.” ence and change,” she said. by men. “It is like being hit by the Fray discussed the challenges of “Other poems look at Libyan heat of the sun,” Fray said. living in the diaspora. “It is very history and the way Libyans Fray was born and raised in Lon- easy for people to say who are you are acting. Their aim is to don. When she was 13 her family to have these feelings towards shine a light on Libya’s frag- returned to Libya where she lived Libya when you were born and mented identity. The country from 2007 until the revolution. raised in the UK. I am seen as is falling apart and the poems She described how her father someone who does not have any are a distress signal.” took suitcases full of books from authority to talk about Libya. It One of the poems in the London. takes away my legitimacy when anthology, “Libya in Blue,” is “I wanted to read. I wanted to people contest the memories I a juxtaposition of history and know about other people. Being have and who I think I am,” she memory and an attempt to link in Libya it was very easy to feel said. history with what is happening that you were missing out on a Fray said she remembers learn- in Libya at present. It makes ref- lot. Reading books took me some- ing about Shakespeare and West- Fray’s collection looks erences to colonialists, Muam- where else. I got to know what ern writers when she was in the at the role of women, mar Qaddafi and the current era. it felt like being the princes of a International School in Tripoli. “The poem tries to jump in dynasty,” Fray said. She is adamant that, if she returns family relationships “I thought there are people to Libya to teach, she will intro- and love across Libya, Powerful words. Cover of around the world who do not duce Libyan and Arab writers into London and the “The Scent of My Skin,” an know what it is like being a girl in the curriculum. anthology of 52 poems by Libya in 2007, 2008 or 2009. They “We need to start claiming the places the poet has Farrah Fray. do not know what it was like to best parts of our culture and herit- experienced. hear the adhan. age,” she said. Interview Egyptian linguist Hussein Mahmoud: ‘Translation is the best medium for dialogue between civilisations’

Italian by chance but I must say talism was developed for colonisa- literature to take its rightful place that after one week of studying tion purposes as everybody in the world. Before his Nobel Italian, I came to accept that knows. Prize triumph [in 1988], only five Khaled Bayoumi bureaucratic decision and “Translation, however, is an literary works had been translated welcomed it as if it was my excellent medium for dialogue. to Italian. After his win, however, own.” Through translation, one nation hundreds of books by authors Cairo can form a better mental image of from different eras have been TAW: “How do you see the another nation. Translation is like translated.” ussein Arab-Islamic presence in Sicily immigration but through litera- Mahmoud today?” ture… It is physically impossible TAW: “How would you rate the Bridging the gaps. Hussein Hamouda is a for Naguib Mahfouz to sit down presence of Arabic literature in Mahmoud Hamouda, professor professor of HM: “That’s still a very intrigu- with Lorca or Marquez or Tolstoy Italy?” of Italian literature and lan- Italian literature ing question. For the Arabs, taking and agree on the universal human guage at the College of Arts of and language at Sicily was the act of liberating the values they could treat in their HM: “It is now much better and Helwan University. (Al Arab) the College of island but for the West it was an works. there are many reasons behind Arts of Helwan invasion and a colonisation. What “Translation does that. It brings that. One of them is the West’s HUniversity in Egypt and dean of is important, at least at the level of them together on the same library increased interest in Arabic [Alighieri]’s ‘Divine Comedy” was the School of Linguistics and literature, is that the Arab pres- shelf and they do not fight each literary production and intellec- inspired by Abul’ala al-Ma’arri or Translation at Badr University in ence in Sicily was very beneficial other or try to eliminate one tual output in general following that’s just chit-chat? Cairo. in all areas. A form of literature another. I can claim that a single the spread of the phenomenon of He has published scholarly and poetry unknown to Europe literary work from a foreign the so-called Islamic terrorism. HM: “We have shown that papers in Arabic and Italian about was born there. It opened new culture does a better job than the The recent immigration waves [Giovanni] Boccaccio was influ- translation and literature, as well horizons in science, art, architec- best official embassies and from Arab countries and Arab enced by “One Thousand and One as translated works from Italian to ture and technology.” cultural missions.” writers garnering several distin- Nights” and it’s possible to show Arabic and Arabic to Italian. He guished international prizes are that Dante too was influenced by said he considers translation a TAW: “How do you choose the TAW: “You published a book also part of it.” Oriental sources. major tool for cultural interaction works you translate?” with the title ‘Naguib Mahfouz’ in “It’s not just Ma’arri’s ‘Risala’ and dialogue between the north- Italy. Do you think Mahfouz is still TAW: “How is Italian orientalism but many other oriental sources ern and southern shores of the HM: “I translate what I like. I a hurdle for the spread abroad of different from other versions of were available in Latin in Dante’s Mediterranean. translate what I am commissioned works by the generations of European orientalism?” time, like ‘Kitab Al-Miraj’ and Here he talks about his work and to translate. I translate what I see writers who came after him?” other Sufi sources. There is no the effect of translation in an useful from a scholarly point of HM: “Italian orientalists or shame in one side borrowing from interview with The Arab Weekly. view. I translate what I think is HM: “On the contrary, by Arabists had a different attitude the other. On the contrary, the important to translate. I translate winning the Nobel Prize in from their European or American biggest shame is when each side The Arab Weekly (TAW): “Why what other people see important literature, Naguib Mahfouz counterparts. Right from the refuses to borrow from the did you decide to specialise in to translate. I translate poetry opened the gates for Arabic beginning, they had a more other. Italian language and literature?” because I love poetry and I conciliatory approach to the Arab “In Dante’s and Boccaccio’s translate for the sheer pleasure of world. Their colonial urges were times, the oriental sources were Hussein Mahmoud (HM): “The language.” “Through much weaker than those of the the basis for culture. It was matter goes back 35 years ago. I Spaniards or the Portuguese for inevitable they become influenced was very fond of literature. Back TAW: “How does literature translation, one example, let alone those of the by those sources because they then, choosing arts studies was contribute to the civilisational nation can form a traditional major colonising were both true artists. True writers the only way to study novels and dialogue between the shores of powers like England and France. and artists are those that can adapt drama. I chose the School of the Mediterranean?” better mental image They were and still are more likely to their times and there is no Linguistics for my university of another nation. to side with Arab causes and to shame in absorbing some of the studies and they assigned me to HM: “European orientalism was Translation is like take an unbiased and objective dominant cultures during those the Italian department based on born at the beginning for religious approach in their critique and times.” my high school grades and purposes; Christian Europe immigration but analysis of Arab thought.” average. wanted to study Islam and through literature.” Khaled Bayoumi is an Egyptian “So we can say that I came to respond to it. Afterwards, orien- TAW: “Is it true that Dante writer. 24 June 3, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Tunis: Through June 10

The 36th Tunis Medina Festival is set for the Municipal Theatre of Tunis, Dar Lasram, Dar Hussein, Tahar Haddad Club in addition to the new Opera Hall of the Cul- ture City. The festival includes concerts by Salatin al-Tarab from Syria, Zied Gharsa from Tunisia, Gnaoua from Morocco and oth- ers. Many street performances are scheduled.

Dubai: June 14-23

The “Peter Pan Live Show” will take place at The China Court stage at Ibn Battuta Mall.

Jounieh: A view of the walled town from the river bridge. (Saad Guerraoui) June 16-29

The Jounieh Summer Festival, set near Jounieh Bay north of Beirut, will include performanc- Azemmour: es from international artists such as James Arthur, Julien Clerc and Il Divo.

Rabat: Morocco’s June 22-30 The 17th Mawazine Festival takes place in Rabat and features international and local musical city of artists performances.

Saad Guerraoui hundreds of metres away as sell- Cairo: ers promoted their merchandise. June 25-July 2 Among those who drew large Azemmour crowds were sellers of medicinal Raqs of Course is a week-long herbs. Skilful in speaking, formi- Egyptian dance festival that in- eautifully nestled on a cliff dable in playing on people’s wants, A narrow street in the medina. (Saad Guerraoui) cludes workshops, competitions overlooking Oum Errebia the sellers looked more convincing and performances. River, 3km from the estu- than doctors to the popular classes B ary, Azemmour is a Moroc- since they have mastered their tention in the medina was the large restore decaying mosques through- Zouk Mikael: can jewel with a thousand-year his- skills in souks across the country. scale of houses in ruin as if it was out the country. July 8-17 tory and heritage marked by several Some of the sellers were even bombarded. The Berber, Jewish, Muslim, Por- civilisations. more daring, proposing herbs to As I walked further, I came across tuguese and Andalusian civilisa- Set in a renovated Lebanese souk Late Moroccan King Hassan II people with impotence, to fight the the Akwas art gallery, which exhib- tions all left their marks in Azem- in a town 14km north of Beirut, said in a speech addressed to archi- evil eye and the list goes on. My un- its Moroccan artists’ artworks. mour, giving the town a blend of the annual Zouk Mikael Interna- tects in 1986 that Azemmour was planned visit to the souk was well Aziz Rahoul, the gallery’s curator rich heritage reflected by the vari- tional Summer Festival features the perfect example of the national worth it. said many Moroccan artists choose ous shapes of house doors. Arab and international artists. architectural heritage that must be As I headed to the old town, a Akwas to show the “real work of Located at the northern end of preserved and taken as a model in 20-minute walk from the souk, I Moroccan painters because there the medina, the old Mellah hosts a Carthage: contemporary architectural pro- asked an old man for guidance. The are some people who call them- well-maintained synagogue where July 13-August 15 duction. octogenarian was pushing a two- selves artists who sell anything in Rabbi Abraham Moul Niss was bur- The peaceful coastal town, which wheeled cart full of firewood that the town.” ied. The Carthage Festival is one lies between Casablanca and El he would sell to a traditional bakery Azemmour is called “the city of After a long walk, I headed to- of the oldest arts and cultural Jadida, is desperate for tourists to for 100 dirhams ($11). artists.” It gave birth to many con- wards one of the river bank gates events in North Africa, drawing visit. “This long walk to the medina temporary artists, including Bou- to feel the gentle breeze off Oum a mix of local and international It took me one-and-a-half hours needs company,” said Haj Ahmed chaib Habbouli and Mohamed El Errebia drying the sweat from the performers to Tunisia over sev- to reach Azemmour by train from who was as fit as a 30-year-old man, Hani. midday heat. eral weeks. Performances take Casablanca. As soon as I got off at although wrinkles on his face worn Large paintings adorned the old After a little rest, I walked to Oum place at the Amphitheatre of the train station, I saw an unusual by decades of hard labour reflected house’s white walls, a reminder Errebia River Bridge for a perfect Carthage. traffic of people, cars, coaches and his age. that art and authenticity are inter- view over the walled medina. I carts. When we approached the medi- twined. therefore understood why several We welcome submissions of It was Tuesday, a busy day of the na, the towering ochre walled ram- The medina is home to several artists choose Azemmour as their calendar items related to week when people flock from vil- parts built by the Portuguese were historic mosques and mausoleums, second home and a source of inspi- cultural events of interest to lages surrounding Azemmour to being restored as part of a major re- including the Moulay Bouchaib ration. The view is gobsmacking! travellers in the Middle East shop at the Souk Tlat. Hundreds habilitation and the cannons were Erredad sanctuary dating to the Boats can be hired for a ride down and North Africa. of tents had been erected in a huge still on the bastions. We parted our Almoravid era. Kasbah Mosque is the river to give visitors a better open space behind the train station ways at Bab El Makhzen where my one of Azemmour’s oldest mosques view of the walled town. There are Please send tips to: to sell all sorts of food and goods. journey into history began. that have been restored as part of riads that offer captivating views [email protected] Loudspeakers could be heard The first thing that drew my at- the government’s programme to over the river.

A well-maintained old door is seen in the A view of a restored bastion in the Moroccan city Azemmour. A view of an alleyway in the Moroccan city Moroccan city Azemmour. (Saad Guerraoui) (Saad Guerraoui) Azemmour. (Saad Guerraoui)