UK £2 Issue 231, Year 5 EU €2.50 November 17, 2019 www.thearabweekly.com Interview Iran-backed Shedding light on crackdown on Qatar's influence Iraqi protests

networks Page 9 Pages 3,7 Tunisia’s new political order likely to test Ennahda’s governing mettle

Lamine Ghanmi that is likely to have trouble acting tle will be facing the country’s on legislation. daunting economic problems. With Ennahda ensured the election GDP growth at slightly more than Tunis of Ghannouchi as speaker of par- 1%, the economy is ill-equipped to liament because of an about-face create enough jobs to address the ith the election of En- by the Qalb Tounes party, a former more than 15% unemployment rate. nahda President Ra- arch-political foe. An impatient population dealing ched Ghannouchi as However, it is not clear whether with high prices and a deteriorat- W parliament speaker and Qalb Tounes, led by media magnate ing standard of living will offer any the nomination of Habib Jemli, a Nabil Karoui, will participate in the government limited margin to ma- former junior agriculture minis- formation of the new government noeuvre. ter, as prime minister, Tunisians or whether it will give it its approval It is unknown what kind of rela- now know the shape of the politi- to Jemli’s proposed cabinet, which tionship the Ennahda-dominated cal landscape that has been greatly must be put to a parliamentary vote institutions will strike with Presi- altered by recent presidential and in less than two months. dent Kais Saied. The new head of legislative elections. Ennahda’s new ties to Qalb state, like Ennahda, holds socially Their main concern is that Tu- Tounes contradict its efforts to conservative views and veers to- nisian politics, and thus the gov- adopt a “revolutionary” narrative wards identity politics. ernment, is too segmented and that renounces consensus politics Saied sees socio-economic woes contentious to focus on immediate with former regime members. as Tunisia’s priority. His likely desire priorities. Ennahda’s leadership in parlia- to use his grace period to boost his Jemli, 60, served in the Islamist- ment and its performance in gov- constitutionally limited preroga- led cabinet headed by Ennahda- ernment are likely to come under tives could be a contentious issue as affiliated Prime Ministers Hamadi intense scrutiny while Tunisia faces he tries to chart a course of change Jebali and Ali Laarayedh at the end many challenges, including the in the country, as he promised dur- of 2011. prospect of receiving scores of Is- ing his campaign. The most salient feature of Tuni- lamic State extremists from Turkey sia’s new political landscape is its and developments in neighbouring Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly New lineup. Tunisia’s Prime Minister-designate Habib Jemli (L) apparent domination by Ennahda, Algeria and Libya. correspondent in Tunis. takes his Letter of Assignment from President Kais Saied at the despite a very splintered parliament The new government’s true met- P5,10 Carthage Presidential Palace in Tunis, November 15. (AFP) With deadlock continuing, Qatar knew in advance Lebanon’s crisis is set for the long haul of Iranian attack in Gulf

Samar Kadi Hariri, who resigned October 29 tions had been exploited by interna- after unprecedented protests against tional and regional powers against but did not warn ruling politicians blamed for ram- Hezbollah. Beirut pant state corruption and an eco- Protesters blocked roads and nomic crisis, said he would only re- crammed city squares despite little US or UK: Fox News he month-old demonstra- turn as prime minister of a cabinet of sign of an imminent breakthrough. tions that brought Lebanon non-partisan specialist ministers. Lebanon appears to be in for a pro- to a halt and toppled Prime While the powerful Iran-backed longed crisis. The Arab Weekly staff “very concerned” about the allega- T Minister Saad Hariri’s gov- Hezbollah and its allies, the Shia The first fatality in the protests oc- tions of Qatari complicity with Iran ernment have yet to deliver on pro- Amal Movement of parliament curred November 12, when a Leba- and intends “to raise questions with testers’ demands for an “emergency Speaker Nabih Berri and the Free nese soldier shot a protester south of Istanbul colleagues in other countries with administration” of independent Patriotic Movement of President Beirut shortly after a live interview strong connections in the Middle technocratic ministers capable of Michel Aoun, wanted Hariri to re- during which Aoun implicitly re- atar had prior knowledge East." rescuing the country from its acute turn as prime minister, they insisted jected the protesters’ demand for an of an Iranian attack on four Ian Paisley Jr., a British lawmaker, financial crisis. on a cabinet of both technocrats independent cabinet. commercial ships in the described the report’s content as Reports that a consensus was and politicians. A non-partisan cabinet of experts Q Gulf last May but “may have “very alarming and requires serious reached to nominate Mohammad “They want him (Hariri) back with a well-defined agenda, includ- failed to warn its US, French and Brit- and immediate investigation by my Safadi, a former Finance min- because he represents a Sunni ing early general elections, “is the ish allies,” US TV network Fox News own government.” ister, as prime minister fuelled majority and has strong rela- only option to surmount the crisis,” revealed Saturday, citing a Western the anger of protesters who tions with the West, which said Sami Nader, director of the Le- intelligence report. Ian Paisley Jr gathered outside Safadi’s home. they don’t want to lose,” vant Institute for Strategic Affairs. The May 12 attack targeted two “Reports about Safadi’s Kammourieh said. “If the deadlock persists, Lebanon Saudi tankers, a Norwegian tanker nomination could be a test bal- Kammourieh said a cabi- will be plunging into a more severe and a UAE bunkering ship off-the loon to see how it would net of independent economic crisis. The World Bank has port of Fujairah in the United Arab “Very alarming and requires be received. The people technocrats would warned that 50% of the Lebanese Emirates. serious and immediate reacted with more pro- eliminate or weaken will fall into poverty. That will lead “Credible intelligence reports indi- investigation." tests. I don’t think that the hold of Hezbol- to complete chaos and all-out civil cate that the IRGC-Quds Forces Na- would work, unless the lah, which does not disobedience.” val unit is responsible for the Fujai- ruling class wants to want to be seen as Neither side appears prepared to rah Port attacks, and the elements of “If proven correct, this poses seri- confront the people,” “if it has conceded compromise and there is no political civilian government of Iran, as well ous questions for our alliances in this said political analyst to the interna- leadership or opposition party that as the State of Qatar, were aware of region,” he added Amin Kammourieh. tional com- could be an alternative to the ruling the IRGC’s activities,” said the report, “The allegations against Qatar “We are stuck in munity, notably parties. obtained exclusively by Fox News. come at a sensitive time for US-Qatar an impasse,” he said. the West and the “Hezbollah and its allies are not Key legislators from two NATO relations, amid other accusations “A government of Americans,” he said. willing so far to relinquish their countries, France and the UK, ex- that it has financed Islamic terrorism technocrats will Hezbollah Secretary- dominion over the political estab- pressed alarm at the accusations in the past,” said Fox News, noting not be accepted by General Hassan Nas- lishment but, in the meantime, the levelled at Qatar by the intelligence that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Hezbollah and its al- rallah has repeatedly country may collapse… We are still at report. Nathalie Goulet, a member of countries and Egypt have boycotted lies while a cabinet insinuated that critics square one.” the French senate and an influential Doha since June 2017 over its alleged of politicians and of Hezbollah’s politi- figure in European counterterrorism ties to Iran and extremist organisa- technocrats will cal line were manipu- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly circles, told Fox News that French tions. still face opposition lating the protests and Travel and Society section editor. authorities will be investigating Qatari officials contacted by Fox in the street.” that the demonstra- P2 the report. She said she was herself News offered no comment. 2 November 17, 2019 Top News Interview Can the UN mediate the Iraq and Lebanon crises?

corruption measures and electoral as plummeting.” reform by the end of November. It There were questions about the provided for constitutional amend- apparent convergence of the United Lamine Ghanmi ments and legislative initiatives on Nations’ effort with the Iran-backed infrastructure within three months. official Iraqi position to work with Considering the impatience of pro- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul- N representatives testers and their distrust of the ruling Mahdi. recently delved into elite, Hennis-Plasschaert pressed After considering removing Abdul- the tumultuous Iraqi authorities to “step up to the Mahdi, the political leadership of politics of Iraq and plate and make things happen.” Iraq, including President Barham Lebanon, searching “They are elected by the people. Salih, voiced support for the prime for a peaceful They are accountable to them,” she minister. solution to the said. The official Iraqi stance was report- Ushowdowns between protesters and She discussed the plan with Iraqi edly cemented during meetings authorities. legislators November 13, saying: in Baghdad that involved Iranian In Iraq, mediation is spearheaded “Now is the time to act, otherwise Major-General Qassem Soleimani, Close reading of events. Elie abouaoun, director of the MENA by Jeanine Antoinette Hennis- any momentum will be lost — lost the head of the Islamic Revolution- programme at the US Institute of Peace. (Twitter) Plasschaert, special representative of at a time when many, many Iraqis ary Guard Corps’ al-Quds Force. the UN secretary-general of the UN demand concrete results.” Following that consensus, the US Plasschaert told AFP that she did not status quo as Hezbollah, the Shia Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), “Something that very few peo- call for early elections seemed to fall seek to be a counterweight to Iranian militant party holding many of the based on UN Security Council resolu- ple know is that actually the UN by the wayside. A political compro- influence but said she feared “spoil- political cards. tions. SRSG [special representative of the mise could be a full reshuffle of the ers” could prevent progress. While protesters clamoured for In Lebanon, the effort is led by secretary-general] visited the sit-in cabinet with Abdul-Mahdi staying as “This country, unfortunately, a technocratic government, Aoun Jan Kubis, a former Slovak Foreign because she wanted to convince prime minister. knows many actors, external, inter- pleaded in a November 12 interview Affairs minister and UN special coor- them to give the [prime minister] a “Both the US and the UN are on nal, that could act as spoilers (and) for the inclusion of politicians in any dinator for Lebanon. grace period of six months if he com- the same page when it comes to con- undermine the legitimate demands future cabinet. He did not deny there Elie Abouaoun, director of the mits to a serious and feasible reform sidering the current PM as the ‘best of the people,” she said. was pressure from foreign countries MENA programme at the US Insti- agenda,” Abouaoun said. option for the moment’ and both In Lebanon, Kubis called for to exclude his Hezbollah allies from tute of Peace, noted the difference The UN mediation seemed are trying to avoid creating a power the urgent formation of a cabinet the new government. between the Iraqi and Lebanese welcomed by the Iraqi protesters. vacuum that Iran is likely to use,” including people known “for their However, he said: “They can’t situations. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Abouaoun said. competence and integrity” and who force me to get rid of a party that demonstrators were “bolstered” by “It is noteworthy that, within the would be “trusted by the people. He represents at least one-third of While protests in both Iraq the meeting November 11 between same week, the US issued a state- said such a government would be in Lebanese.” and Lebanon are calling her and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s ment supporting the efforts of the “a better position to appeal for sup- While protests in both Iraq and Lebanon are calling for the removal for the removal of the top Shia cleric. UN [and] the SRSG was received by port from Lebanon’s international “We’re optimistic about the UN Sistani personally, a rare occurrence/ partners.” of the entire ruling class, UN media- entire ruling class, UN and I respect her visit to Sistani,” honour with foreign officials who International goodwill is crucial for tors seem to be focusing on prevent- mediators seem to be Ali Kadhem, 33, a demonstrator at usually meet his representatives, and Lebanon, where reform could help ing the two countries from descend- focusing on preventing the main Baghdad protest site of the Iranians brokered a deal between release $11 billion in aid pledged at a ing further into violence and chaos. the two countries from Tahrir Square, told AFP. “Let them Shia political parties to give the PM conference last year. “My own reading is that we en- descending further into intervene more in Iraq. We want a grace period of 6-12 months with The economic crisis loomed large tered a phase of chaos in both coun- violence and chaos. them here. Our people were starved, some reform initiatives on track.” in the UN coordinator’s efforts. “The tries that needs to be shortened to killed. We’ve been through every- For foreign parties involved, financial and economic situation the extent possible so a concerted ef- UN agencies in Lebanon, he said, thing.” Abdul-Mahdi is considered “the best is critical and the government and fort by the international community “don’t have a special mandate Abouaoun explained that “from option” because “he is politically other authorities cannot wait any — with and through — the UN is more decided by a [UN Security Council the Iraqi public opinion stance, the weak, which allows each of the par- longer to start addressing it,” he said than welcome,” Abouaoun said. resolution] as is the case in Iraq. This UNAMI still enjoys relatively wide ties to implement their own agenda after a November 12 meeting with means that their ‘political’ mandate support. Obviously, the current steep without much resistance from the Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly is restricted and should only be con- political polarisation affects how PM,” Abouaoun said. The formation of the new govern- correspondent in Tunis. The Arab fined to coordination,” he said. some segments of the population The risk of interference from ment is one of the most contentious Weekly Editor-in-Chief Oussama The United Nations’ plan for Iraq perceive the UN but I don’t see outsiders, such as Iran, remains on issues in Lebanon. No party has Romdhani interviewed Elie included ending violence, anti- their approval rate among Iraqis mediators’ minds, however. Hennis- as much at stake in continuing the Abouaoun for this article. Lebanese abroad look for ways to get involved in protest movement

Justin Salhani eight times each year. Mikhael said at my office what was happening that, after the collapse of the 2015 and why this was so important.” protests, he stopped keeping up She was not the only Lebanese Paris with Lebanese news. living abroad eagerly keeping up This time, however, something with the news but while expatriates s Lebanon marks one feels different, protesters said. used social media to stay informed, month of protests, activ- “The united nature crosses sect, they sometimes struggled to man- ists and demonstrators are class, gender. It’s inclusive of the age their daily lives. Maalouf admit- A charting their next steps in LGBT community and it has reig- ted she’s had to shut off the news so the effort to remove what they say nited hope,” Mikhael said, adding her work performance didn’t suffer. is a corrupt political system. The that the new social contract forged Many diaspora members ob- Lebanese diaspora, which faces a by Lebanese across the country ap- served a strange dichotomy be- different set of struggles, is finding pears to be a watershed moment in tween following developments in ways to get involved in the move- casting off sectarian divisions. Lebanon and staying connected ment. The Lebanese diaspora is re-ener- to local happenings. Some found When the protests began, many gised. Weekly protests have taken it surreal to flip through memes of Lebanese outside the country ex- place in New York, Paris, London their friends and family supporting perienced a whirlwind of emotions. and elsewhere since mid-October. the protests, only to be interrupted There was pride in compatriots There has been a significant back- by an Instagram story featuring a standing up to the long-entrenched lash to Lebanese President Michel A watershed moment. People shout slogans and wave Lebanese plate of food posted by a non-Leb- government but also some uneasi- Aoun’s suggestions that Lebanese national flags as they take part in a rally in Paris to support anese colleague. ness about not being present to unhappy with their government Lebanon’s protests, October 20. (DPA) “It felt like a moral obligation at support them. can simply emigrate. That struck a first,” Youssef Mallat, a Lebanese This was not the first time Leba- particularly harsh note with the di- living in Paris, said about focusing nese have had a protest effort aspora, many of whom left because cause my ambitions are matched in communities abroad. solely on “the revolution.” “When aimed at revolutionising the po- of a lack of opportunity at home. a place like London or New York,” There is a stark dichotomy be- I’d see posts not about the revolu- litical system but previous setbacks Many Lebanese living abroad Atallah said. tween the lives of Lebanese diaspo- tion it made me a bit angry because made many lose hope. confess they feel guilt, shame or When the protests broke out, ra members and Lebanese at home, I felt it wasn’t time to talk about In 2005, massive demonstrations fear of missing out in the protests. Atallah said he considered return- many pointed out. A meme on so- other things and we have bigger led to the expulsion of occupying It isn’t helped that they are some- ing to Beirut but he felt uneasy. “I cial media during the first days of problems but as an expat what do Syrian forces but the following ten times stigmatised by other Leba- felt it would be conflict tourism to the protest movement showed a you do? At some point, your life is years were punctuated by social nese for having left their country, go to my own country as an expat drawn figurine of an expat woman still going,” he said. and economic crises. In 2015, a whether or not by choice. under these circumstances and I watching developments on her The divide reminds the Lebanese waste-disposal crisis led Lebanese Nasri Atallah said he was at a pro- thought about how I could be of laptop surrounded by trinkets and diaspora of the duality of their lives. to again protest in mass but that test in London, where he lives, and better use in my own city,” he said. dishes that reminded her of Leba- Many left Lebanon for the chance movement broke down because of heard people chanting how they Since then, he’s been talking non. at a more stable life but their hearts internal divisions and the political wish to live and work in Lebanon. to others in the diaspora about “For the first week, I was glued to are with protesters on the streets of class’s efforts to keep them at bay. While he doesn’t disagree, he said how to help and build a network (Lebanese news channel) MTV and Lebanon chanting “thawra, thawra, “I really lost heart after the (2015) his personal situation is different. that can help find opportunities I’d be at my job and listening to all thawra!” ‘You Stink’ (protests),” said Drew “I thought about how, even if for young Lebanese artists or pro- the latest developments at the same Mikhael, a Belfast-based academic things in Lebanon were ideal, I fessionals, similar to networks time,” said Micha Maalouf, who Justin Salhani is an Arab Weekly who said he visits Lebanon around would probably leave anyway be- used by the Armenian or Chinese lives in New York. “I told everyone contributor. November 17, 2019 3 Top News Iraq's Iran-backed militias accused of violently quashing protest movement

Azhar Al-Rubaie he said. “How are we the vandalis- ers? Are we the ones who killed the peaceful protesters? Where is this Baghdad peace that the government claims?” “It is a revolution of a people, not raqis are growing increasingly a million people, but of the entire frustrated with Iran-backed mi- people. We do not have representa- litias attempting to stifle pro- tives,” he added. I tests against government cor- Other demonstrators fled their ruption and mismanagement, Iraqi homes after threats from militias, demonstrators and activists said. they said. Since October 1, demonstrators “I received a phone call from an have taken to the Iraqi streets to unknown number threatening me raise their voice against corruption, against going back to Tahrir Square,” unemployment and poor public ser- said a Baghdad protester, who spoke vices. They demand a change in the on condition of anonymity because constitution, the resignation of the he feared for his safety. “I do not prime minister, early elections and know their identity or how they got for the government to stop the vio- my personal phone number.” lent crackdown against protesters. “The caller told me, if he finds me Protesters have faced suppression in any protest, he will kill me,” the from the state and Iran-backed mili- protester said. “My wife and I decid- tias, they said. More than 320 people ed to flee to Turkey to save our lives. have been killed since the protests I will leave Iraq, my home, but my began, the Iraqi Human Rights Com- heart will stay in Baghdad and with mission said. the protesters. Iran-backed militias have played a “I will continue to protest but do central role in antagonising protest- so online to help raise my people’s ers, witnesses said, helping arrest voice to the whole world. It is the or violently suppress dozens with least I can do for my country.” impunity. Iranian Major-General He and many others view the mili- Qassem Soleimani, who heads Iran’s tias as a threat to peace and stability Point of no return. A poster of Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi (R) and Iran elite al-Quds Force, was accused of in Iraq. President Hassan Rohani hangs on a building near Tahrir Square during protests in Baghdad, being directly involved in quashing “The militias, which are supported November 6. (AP) the protests. by Qassem Soleimani, are more pow- In the southern Iraqi city of May- erful than the Iraqi government,” san, a group alleged to be linked to said Iraqi political analyst Ghanim ernment was unable to protect the leading to Baghdad that security prominent role in Iraq for years. Iran-backed militias killed activist Abed. “Iran’s interference in Iraq’s protesters and it does not arrest the forces had driven them off of a week Two years after the Islamic State Amjad Al-Dahhamat near the police political system is clear. It has named killers,” added Abed. before, Reuters reported. Three pro- (ISIS) seized Mosul in 2014 and the directorate. the three ministries and other politi- The violence has not stopped testers were killed when security Iraqi military collapsed, parliament Protesters said some snipers who cians to be under its wings. protesters across Iraq from venting forces fired ammunition and tear passed a law allowing the Iran- fired on protesters were thought to “Despite the curfew imposed on frustration with Iran, chanting slo- gas amid clashes. backed Popular Mobilisation Forces be Iranian. Baghdad and other regions by the gans such as: “Out, out Iran; Bagh- Separately, a bombing nearby the (PMF) to fight the terror group. “The snipers alleged to be linked authorities, the protesters are break- dad free, free.” Others set fire to the same night killed at least two peo- Iran provided the PMF with fi- to Iran and the Iraqi riot forces both ing this curfew to express their re- outer wall of the Iranian consulate ple, witnesses said, but it was un- nances and heavy weaponry and shoot us with live bullets and tear fusal of Iran’s presence. in Karbala. clear who was responsible for the embedded their leaders within the gas” said Mohammed Abdulraz- “The government announced that Protesters stormed the head- incident. group. This helped the PMF fight zaq Ali, a 33-year-old activist from 7,000 IRGC (Islamic Revolution- quarters of Iran-supported political The Iraqi Defence Ministry earlier ISIS and gave the group greater in- Baghdad. “I heard one of the snipers ary Guard Corps) militants entered parties and organisations. Others said that those responsible for kill- fluence in Iraq’s political sphere. wearing black speak Farsi. That was Karbala to protect the visitors of burned images of Iranian figures ing protesters were not affiliated when I knew they were Iranian.” Arbaeen but they did not go back such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah with the government and that the Azhar Al-Rubaie is a freelance “The Iraqi government knows home and stayed in Iraq to curb the Ali Khamenei and Soleimani. Iraqi government had not imported journalist based in Iraq. His writing them well but did not want to release protests. The country experienced another tear gas used against demonstra- focuses on politics, health, society, that in media and the government “The snipers targeted the protest- bout of violence November 15 after tors, as had been alleged. wars and human rights. Follow him accused us of being vandalisers,” ers at the head and chest. The gov- demonstrators moved to a bridge Iran-backed militias have played a on Twitter: @AzherRubaie. How Iraq’s oil revenues evaporate Algerians protest military’s

Iraq’s brand of sectarian power- of hires in a reform package intro- Samya Kullab plan for December election sharing — called the “muhasasa” sys- duced in October. Experts said this tem in Arabic — effectively empow- approach perpetuates the problem. Agence France-Presse ministers Ali Benflis and Abdelm- Baghdad ers political elites to govern based on Following the money trail of how adjid Tebboune are considered the consensus and informal agreements, ministries spend their budgets is front-runners. aves of violent protests marginalising the role of parliament difficult even for well-meaning re- Algiers Benflis, 75, was prime minister have engulfed Bagh- and alienating much of the Iraqi pop- formers because there is little trans- under Bouteflika from 2000-2003. dad and Iraq’s southern ulation in the process. parency and accountability. espite attempts by the mili- Tebboune, 73, served as Bouteflika’s W provinces,. Fuelling the On the ground, this dynamic has In some cases, money is simply tary establishment to urge Communications minister. unrest is anger over an economy played out through a quota sys- not spent because of poor planning acceptance of a presidential Protesters say they are opposed flush with oil money that has failed tem in which resources are shared and management, said Mawlawi. D election in December, Al- to any Bouteflika-era figures taking to create jobs or improve the lives of among political leaders, with each Last year’s budget ended with a gerian demonstrators thronged the part in the election. They have been young people, who are the majority vying to increase networks of pa- surplus of around $21 billion “not streets of Algiers to voice their op- demonstrating for months, demand- of those taking to the streets. They tronage and build support. Leaders because we had too much money position to a vote they say will keep ing sweeping reforms, including an say they have had enough of blatant have relied on doling out govern- but because we didn’t know how to in power a political elite rejected by overhaul of the political system and government corruption and subpar ment jobs to preserve loyalty. The spend it the right way,” he said. the people. an end to corruption. basic services. tactic has bloated the public sec- Often, money earmarked for ser- The protest November 15 was two Since Bouteflika’s resignation, sev- Oil accounts for 85-90% of state tor and drained Iraq’s oil-financed vice projects by the government days before the start of campaigning eral members of his inner circle have revenue. This year’s federal budget budget, leaving little for investment or international organisations gets for the December 12 vote. been arrested and investigated, in- anticipated $79 billion in oil money, in social and infrastructure projects. spent by ministry officials for -ex Demonstrations have gripped Al- cluding on corruption allegations. based on projected exports of 3.88 penditures, said an Iraqi official, geria each Friday since February Protesters have called for an end million barrels per day at a price who requested anonymity because when protesters took to the streets in to media restrictions. At the start of of $56 a barrel. Iraq’s economy im- Following the money trail of of regulations. Algiers and other major cities against the latest protest in Algiers, approxi- proved in 2019 because of a rise in how ministries spend their Or the funds are used to pay debts former President Abdelaziz Boutefli- mately 100 journalists took to the oil production and GDP growth was budgets is difficult even for from previous years, the official ka’s bid for a fifth term in office. streets to condemn alleged “threats” expected to grow 4.6% by the end of well-meaning reformers said, adding: “So when it’s time to Bouteflika stepped down in April by the authorities targeting the me- the year, the World Bank said. because there is little sign the contract, they say ‘no mon- under pressure. dia. The fruits of these riches are rarely transparency and ey’ because what they have isn’t Army Chief-of-Staff General The demonstrators wore white seen by the average Iraqi because of accountability. enough.” Ahmed Gaid Salah, the country’s armbands marked “free journalists.” financial mismanagement, bureau- “There are thousands of ways bu- main powerbroker in the post-Boutef- On November 10, 300 Algerian cratic inefficiency and corruption, In the 2019 budget, public sector reaucrats can siphon it off,” the offi- lika era, has led a push for presiden- journalists posted a statement on experts and officials said. compensation accounted for nearly cial added. tial elections by the end of the year. Facebook saying: “We demand that The overall unemployment rate is 40% of state spending. Crucial projects remain incom- An earlier proposed election date authorities stop imposing censorship around 11% while 22% of the popu- With major international oil plete. School buildings in Basra are was missed because no candidates on private and public media and stop lation lives in poverty, World Bank companies flocking to develop the crumbling and overcrowded with came forward. undermining media freedoms.” estimates state. One-third of Iraqi country’s oil fields, the number of multiple-shift programmes. Protesters said the current field Authorities have arrested around youth are without jobs. government employees grew three- Iraqi leaders have been unwilling of presidential candidates would all 100 people, including protesters, “One of the main problems is that fold in the past 16 years, Mawlawi’s to reform the system, which experts seek to carry on Bouteflika’s policies. activists and journalists, since June, the oil wealth is spent on the public research indicates. said is unsustainable because of lim- The constitutional council re- a defence committee for detainees sector and especially on salaries,” Offering jobs is a recourse used by ited resources and over-reliance on cently said five candidates had been said. said Ali al-Mawlawi, head of re- Iraqi politicians to quell protests in volatile oil markets. selected to run out of 23 who had Activists have complained that search at al-Bayan Centre, a think- the past. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel registered for the poll. Among those public media have been colluding tank in Baghdad. Abdul-Mahdi included thousands (The Associated Press) cleared to run, Bouteflika-era prime with authorities. 4 November 17, 2019 Top News With Trump and Erdogan stuck in stalemate, Russia's influence in north-eastern Syria grows

Thomas Seibert “very serious challenges,” adding that high-ranking US and Turkish officials would try to work out a Istanbul compromise. Despite the positive spin, the s Turkey and the United United States did not get what it States continue to disa- wanted from the meeting. Speak- gree over Syria and other ing a day before Erdogan’s visit, A issues, the good personal US officials said the White House relationship between Presidents wanted a commitment by Erdogan Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US to drop plans to use the S-400s and President Donald Trump is emerg- get the Turkish leader to agree to a ing as the only strong tie left be- permanent ceasefire in Syria. tween the NATO partners. As for Turkey, Erdogan present- Even though Trump heaped ed his government’s position live praise on Erdogan during a meet- on US television amid a growing ing November 13 in Washington, chorus of criticism directed against the two sides failed to find a solu- Ankara. Following a meeting of a tion to their conflicting interests in group of US senators with Erdogan Syria, where the United States sup- and Trump, Senator Lindsey Gra- ports a Kurdish militia seen as a ter- ham, an outspoken critic of Turkey, rorist threat by Turkey. blocked a resolution describing the mass killings of Armenians in World War I as “genocide.” A simi- Erdogan failed to convince lar resolution was passed by the US the United States to end its House of Representatives in Octo- partnership with the ber, triggering an angry response Kurdish People’s Protection from Erdogan. Units militia in Syria. Erdogan, however, failed to con- vince the United States to end its The meeting highlighted what partnership with the Kurdish Peo- media reports called the “bro- ple’s Protection Units (YPG) militia Dangerous gulf. US President Donald Trump (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive mance” between the two leaders in Syria. He did not make headway at a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, November 13. (AP) but produced no result in the long- in Turkey’s long-standing demand running feud between the United that the United States extradite States and Turkey over Erdogan’s Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Islam- that relationship.” in separate briefings, said Washing- atrocities in northern Syria. decision to buy a Russian missile ic cleric accused by Ankara of being Trump has come under intense ton had no intention of ending its Huseyin Alptekin, an assistant defence system. the mastermind behind the 2016 pressure from his fellow Repub- partnership with the SDF. professor of international rela- Speaking with Erdogan at his side coup attempt against Erdogan’s licans for withdrawing US troops Graham and other Republican tions at Istanbul’s Sehir University, in the White House, Trump said he government. from north-eastern Syria and clear- senators who met with Erdogan noted that, even though no agree- and the Turkish leader were “very Soner Cagaptay, director of the ing the way for the Turkish incur- remained unconvinced by a video ments were reached in Washing- good friends” but their meeting Turkish Research Programme at sion that started a month ago. the Turkish leader showed them ton, Erdogan’s visit succeeded in failed to resolve issues that have the Washington Institute for Near In a speech in Washington after to hammer home the point that keeping communication channels badly strained relations between East Policy, said “the Erdogan- his meeting with Trump, Erdogan the YPG was a terrorist group that open in difficult times. the two NATO allies. Trump relationship is the only part said he asked the US president to killed innocent civilians. “The meeting took place at a Trump and Erdogan did not of the US-Turkish relationship that cease support for the YPG fighters, “I acknowledge you got a le- time when anti-Turkey sentiments reach an agreement on Turkey’s works now.” who are seen as hostile by Ankara gitimate national security concern are highest in the US Congress decision to accept delivery of the “The two men have an affinity but form the backbone of the Syr- about armed elements on your and mainstream media and when Russian S-400 air defence system. for each other as strongman presi- ian Democratic Forces (SDF), the border,” Graham told Erdogan, an there was huge pressure on Trump It poses such a threat to NATO se- dents. They like each other. They main US partner in Syria fighting account by the senator after the to impose sanctions on Turkey,” curity that the United States sus- get along quite well and I think against the Islamic State. He did meeting stated, “but do you want Alptekin wrote in an e-mail. “This pended Turkish participation in this is going to continue to carry not say how Trump responded. me to get the Kurds to play a video visit cleared the way for further ne- the multinational F-35 fighter jet the relationship forward,” Cagap- A day before Erdogan’s visit, about your forces have done?” That gotiations and showed that Turkey programme. tay said, adding there was a “ques- both senior administration officials was a reference to reports alleging and the US still see each other as Trump said the S-400 posed tion whether Turkey can rely on and a US State Department official, Turkish-backed groups committed important partners.” Israel broadens showdown with Islamic Jihad to include Hamas

The Arab Weekly staff rael, paralysing much of the south- intent to attack Iranian positions in ern part of the country but without the region, especially in Syria. Iran causing death or serious injuries. has forces in Syria and supports London Hamas, the more powerful mili- Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. In tant group that rules Gaza, seemed Gaza, Iran is believed to be supply- srael struck at Islamic Jihad to stay out of the fighting, sticking ing Islamic Jihad with funds, weap- targets in the Gaza Strip after to the terms of the truce mediated ons and expertise. rocket fire by the Palestinian by Egypt. Israeli strikes November The Palestinian militant group I militant group rattled a precari- 16 targeting its infrastructure in was founded in 1981 to establish an ous truce. A lull in the fighting en- Gaza are likely to alter Hamas’s cal- Islamic Palestinian state in the West sued but the confrontation raised culated restraint. Bank, Gaza and all of what is now questions as to Israel’s tactics and Senior Hamas official Bassem Israel. It is designated a terrorist the regional implications of its Naim earlier told Agence France- organisation by the US State Depart- A new gamble. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (R) and showdown with Islamic Jihad and Presse (AFP) that Hamas believes ment, European Union and other Israeli Defence Forces Air Defence commander Ran Kochav during its widening of the confrontation to that “managing the relationship governments. a visit to an Iron Dome missile defence battery at an undisclosed include Hamas. with the occupation has to consider Israeli officials described Abu al- location near the Israel-Gaza border, November 14. (DPA) In a shift of strategy, Israel’s mili- different and complicated contexts. Atta as a commander in Islamic Ji- tary, on November 16, said it “holds “Therefore, sometimes we have to had’s armed wing and of being be- the Hamas terror organisation re- restrain our response, mainly be- hind recent attacks against Israel. gives instructions to the Gaza Strip The attacks renewed questions sponsible for events transpiring cause of Palestinian interest,” he His death was the first high-profile on the other hand,” Giora Eiland, a about the civilian toll of Israel’s in the Gaza Strip and emanating said assassination of an Islamic Jihad former head of Israel’s National Se- military actions in Gaza, which has from it. Israel was seen as stepping up figure by Israel since the 2014 war in curity Council, told the Associated drawn heavy international criti- its battle against Iran and its prox- the Gaza Strip. Press (AP). cism. The International Criminal ies, seemingly taking advantage of Islamic Jihad, in addition to sus- Court in the Hague has opened an Observers said they were Tehran’s precarious position in the pected support from Iran, produced investigation into Israel’s tactics. sceptical whether the region. Unrest in Iraq and Lebanon many of its weapons. The group There were questions in Many observers said they were undeclared ceasefire sparked a backlash against Tehran has amassed an arsenal equal to Israel of whether Israeli sceptical of whether any ceasefire would hold. proxies in those countries. Hamas’s, with longer-range rockets Prime Minister Binyamin between Israel and Islamic Jihad, be There were questions in Israel capable of striking Israel’s Tel Aviv Netanyahu was trying to it declared or undeclared, can hold “Hamas will bear the conse- of whether Israeli Prime Minister metropolitan area. boost his political for long. quences for actions against Israeli Binyamin Netanyahu was trying to Although its base is Gaza, Islamic fortunes through attacks “But the minute we are going to civilians.” boost his political fortunes through Jihad has leadership in Beirut and on Islamic Jihad. finish this round, it is just a time The flare-up was ignited Novem- attacks on Islamic Jihad. Damascus, where it maintains close out until next time and when is next ber 12 by Israel’s targeting of two Netanyahu heads a caretaker gov- ties with Iranian officials. Another Islamic Jihad in Gaza is key to time? In two weeks, in one month, commanders from the Islamic Jihad, ernment and is fighting for his po- suspected Israeli missile strike No- Tehran’s “strategy of keeping pres- in two months?” Ronni Shaked of killing Bahaa Abu al-Atta in Gaza litical survival ahead of a possible vember 12 targeted Akram al-Ajouri, sure on Israel on all fronts,” Kobi the Harry Truman Research Insti- and missing the second in Syria. indictment on corruption charges. one of the group’s officials in Syria. Michael, a senior research fellow at tute for Peace in Jerusalem asked in Israeli attacks killed at least 34 His chief rival, Benny Gantz, is try- “He is the real direct connection the Institute for National Security an AFP report. Palestinians. Palestinian militants ing to form a government. between Islamic Jihad and Iran on Studies, a Tel Aviv think-tank, said fired more than 450 rockets into Is- Israel has gone public about its the one hand and the person who to the AP. (With news agencies.) November 17, 2019 5 Top News Government infighting Ghannouchi loyalist is picked as prime provokes Kuwaiti minister-designate

The Arab Weekly staff November 15 had been the dead- cabinet shakeup line for Ennahda, as the party with the most seats (52) in parliament, Tunis to announce its candidate for prime minister. Ennahda needs unisia’s Islamists selected the support of other groups, how- Habib Jemli, a farming ever, to gather at least 109 votes specialist who previously in the 217-member parliament to T worked in Ennahda-led secure approval for Jemli and his governments and is perceived as a cabinet. trusted ally of Ennahda Movement Ennahda said it chose “a person President Rached Ghannouchi, as known for his competence, integ- prime minister-designate. rity and experience in administra- The choice seemed to confirm tion” but some experts said Jemli’s Ennahda’s decision to control the noted loyalty to Ghannouchi was Tunisian government for the next the overriding factor. five years. “The choice of Jemli was ad- An agricultural engineer by vocated by Ghannouchi himself. training, Jemli, 60, served as secre- Ghannouchi insisted against all tary of state at the Agriculture Min- odds to confirm the selection of istry from 2011-14 under Ennahda Jemli, whom he deems as the most Prime Ministers Hamadi Jebali and loyal and able to meet his wishes,” Ali Larayedh. said political writer Ali Mhedhbi. His official profile states he has “Thus, from his chair as speaker “no political affiliation” but En- Ghannouchi will control the two nahda leaders describe him as a branches of the government. The sympathiser “close to the party.” best way to conduct his policy.” Tunisian President Kais Saied Adnen Manser, a former presi- charged Jemli with forming a new dential adviser with knowledge government, the presidency said of the inner workings of Ennahda in a statement. Jemli said compe- said: “With Jemli nominated, what tence would be the primary criteri- is certain is that Ghannouchi will on for participation in the cabinet. not be only the speaker but also the The announcement was made real power in the cabinet, especial- Government deadlock. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah (L) November 15, two days after Ghan- ly if his own men will be ministers delivers a speech during a parliament session at the Kuwait’s National Assembly, last July. (AFP) nouchi was elected parliament and that what will happen.” speaker as the Islamists tightened “This shift in the desire to con- their hold on government power in trol everything and centralise the The Arab Weekly staff Sheikh Nasser had demanded a tion following lengthy question- a shift of strategy since Islamists’ power into one single hand does judicial inquiry into alleged viola- ing in parliament during which resurgence nine years ago. not tie-up with the trend of the tions in the ministry under his pre- she was asked about alleged mis- Ennahda’s change of tack came public opinion and the culture of London decessor, Sheikh Khaled al-Jarrah management of her portfolios and when the Islamists are at their low- the people,” Manser said. “The al-Sabah. On November 14, Sheikh poor use of public funds. est point in terms of voter support success of forming the government uwait’s political scene Nasser referred the case for pros- Cabinet resignations in Kuwait and acceptance by main political with a tight numerical majority is has grown increasingly ecution, saying the committee he happen frequently when elected groups. the beginning of failure.” uncertain after infighting formed determined that individu- lawmakers ask to question or sub- K reportedly broke out be- als were guilty of violations. mit a no-confidence vote against tween ministers over the forma- While the prime minister said he senior government officials. tion of the next cabinet. was ready to investigate the cases The cabinet will remain in of- Reported disputes between Ku- and that the fight against corrup- fice until a new government is waiti First Deputy Prime Minister tion was a priority, a controversy appointed, the government com- and Minister of Defence Sheikh developed within the cabinet over munication office said. Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, how to proceed. Kuwait's parliament has power Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al- Sheikh Jaber, as prime minister, to pass legislation and question Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah and submitted his cabinet’s resigna- ministers. Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled al- tion to Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Friction between the cabinet Jarrah al-Sabah have drawn con- al-Jaber al-Sabah, who accepted it and parliament has led to frequent cern in parliament. November 14, two days after par- reshuffles or the dissolution of Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker liament filed a no-confidence mo- parliament. Marzouq al-Ghanim said “a large tion against the Interior minister, The government is headed by group of MPs believe that the Sheikh Khaled. a prime minister selected by the problem lies in the government Kuwaiti Finance Minister Nayef emir, who has the final say in state team because it is not homog- al-Hajraf resigned in October to matters. Senior posts are occupied enous.” avoid being questioned in parlia- by ruling family members. Rumours of a row began circu- ment over allegedly violating sha- With the resignation of the cabi- lating more than a month ago after riah by charging interest on loans net accepted, the emir can rename Sheikh Nasser stopped attending taken by retired Kuwaitis from the the outgoing prime minister or ap- parliamentary sessions and partic- state-run pension agency. point a new head of government ipating in meetings of the Council Public Works Minister Jenan to form the cabinet, the eighth Challenges ahead. Seat of the national government in Tunis. of Ministers. Bushehri announced her resigna- since 2011. (Twitter) UAE, Egypt set up joint investment programme

The Arab Weekly staff political stability. ernment secured a $12 billion bail- “Egypt’s security is as important out from the International Monetary as the UAE’s security and its pro- Fund (IMF) in exchange for econom- London gress, development and stability are ic reforms. important to the UAE and all Arab Nearly one-in-three Egyptians he United Arab Emirates and countries,” said Sheikh Mohammed lives below the poverty line, official Egypt have established a in a statement carried by the UAE figures released in July indicate. $20 billion joint investment state news agency WAM. Egypt’s economy took a battering T programme to develop “eco- The investment programme was in the immediate aftermath of the nomic and social projects.” announced as Cairo seeks assistance revolution that toppled long-time Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh to boost its sagging economy and President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan create jobs. The project will be run Direct foreign investment has announced the plans November 14 through Egypt’s newly established grown to record levels in recent while meeting with visiting Egyp- sovereign wealth fund and Abu Dha- years but the national debt has bal- tian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. bi Development Holding Company. looned since the pound was floated “We launched a joint strategic in- Egypt’s wealth fund is being tout- in November 2016, leading to a sharp vestment platform between the UAE ed by the government as the latest depreciation. and Egypt worth $20 billion to im- component of its economic revival. The government in May raised plement vital economic and social The fund is intended to help the electricity rates 15% as part of belt- projects for our brotherly countries,” government better utilise its assets tightening measures under the IMF Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter. and to attract foreign investments programme. The United Arab Emirates, a that have been overshadowed by an In April, the IMF forecast the traditional regional backer of infusion of overseas cash into the lo- Egyptian economy would expand New boost to strategic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Cairo, has been supportive of the cal debt market. 5.5% this year and inflation should Fattah al-Sisi (L) and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Egyptian government’s drive to Poor and middle-class Egyptians slow to 14.5%. bin Zayed al-Nahyan attend a welcome ceremony in Al-Watan combat terrorism and implement have borne the brunt of austerity presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, November 14. (AFP) reforms to ensure economic and measures since 2016 when the gov- (With news agencies.) 6 November 17, 2019 Opinion

Editorial Conquering fears and bigotry in Spain

lections November 10 in Spain made the far-right party Vox, with 3.6 million votes, the third parliamentary forma- tion with 52 seats out of 350, behind the Socialists with 120 seats and the Popular Party with 89. EVox President Santiago Abascal described the party’s performance as “the greatest political feat seen in Spain.” Vox’s performance buoyed European far-right formations. Abascal received congratulations from France’s far-right party leader Marine Le Pen (for what she called the Spanish party’s “staggering progress”) and from far-right leaders such as Italy’s Matteo Salvini of the League party and Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders. Populist formations in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and Italy share Vox’s anti-immigration and ultra-nationalist views. The problem with Abascal is that his stances are not in sync with his country’s time and place. He advocates building a wall around the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to be paid for by neighbouring Morocco, not taking into considera- tion Rabat’s efficient collaboration with Madrid in curbing illegal migration. Borrowing — and largely rewriting — a chapter from medieval history of Catholics versus Andalusian Muslims, he advocates for the “reconquest” of Spain, a free and sovereign © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly nation. The mystified history of Muslims in Europe is meant to dramatise the perceived threat of Muslim migration to Europe. Fear of Muslim invasion, Israel has changed and so has Jordan which is part and parcel of the narrative of Euro- pean far-right extremists, can legitimise anti-Mus- lim violence and terrorism. Such fears are the mirror image of the radical Islamist narrative of Khairallah Khairallah hate that underlies acts of terror against the West. Eduardo Manzano Moreno, a Spanish researcher, Israel is no longer interested in regional stability. Israel’s focus is to noted “the conservative rhetoric tries to plant the bring about a fait accompli in the West Bank in its favour. seed of an exact similarity between what happened in the Middle Ages and the present, something that ordanian King Abdullah II’s claims made at the time of the treaty consulting Amman, even though is also encouraged by Islamic radicals.” announcement that Jordan that “leasing the land is like leasing the latter had consistently consulted Past rhetoric of Vox’s leader has made the 2 would exercise its full the country’s honour” were false with the PLO and the Palestinian million Muslims of Spain uncomfortable. Many, sovereignty over the farming Those claims were made by Syr- leadership before taking any deci- however, hope Abascal’s exposure to international ian President Hafez Assad and his affairs will lead him to better synchronise his views lands of Baqoura and Al sion that might affect them. with Spain’s realities and traditional relations with Ghamr, along its border with regime. They were mere excuses For instance, it was only after con- the Arab world. JIsrael, is a sign that new develop- to justify his inability to manage sulting with the Palestinian leader- Also, and despite the mounting xenophobic ments are in store for the region and the battle for peace and liberate ship that Jordan disengaged from the trends, the values of tolerance and coexistence still for the nature of relations between occupied territories of Syria, as King West Bank in 1988. thrive in Europe. The same day Spanish elections the two countries. Hussein had done for Jordan and A quarter of a century after the took place, a German politician of Turkish origin This means Jordan is convinced President Anwar Sadat for Egypt. peace agreement between Jordan was voted mayor of the German city of Hanover, the that a fundamental change occurred The term “lease” was not even part and Israel, there are important first time a German born to immigrant parents in its relations with Israel. Under of the text of the peace treaty and its developments at the regional level occupies the office of mayor of one of the country’s terms of the annexes to the 1994 annexes. that Jordan must deal with objec- 16 state capitals. peace treaty between Jordan and King Hussein wanted to reclaim tively. Europe’s migrant population and its Arab-Muslim Israel, the latter retained the right to all territories occupied in 1967, At the forefront of these develop- neighbours only make the continent richer. Both dispose of those lands for 25 years. including the West Bank and East ments is that Israel feels that there regions have too much in common to lend credence Jordan is no longer as important Jerusalem, but Arab ignorance, is no need for Jordan as a gateway to to the narrative of civilisational conflict. The only as it once was to Israel. Such an which is boundless, prevented it. the Arab world. For example, Israeli things both must conquer are their unfounded fears Israeli view is, however, extremely The Arab summit in Rabat in 1974 Prime Minister Binyamin Netanya- shortsighted and politically unpro- took the decision to consider the hu was in Oman on an official visit, ductive. This is because of several Palestine Liberation Organisation so there is no longer a need for the Environmental factors, including that Israel says (PLO) the sole legitimate representa- Jordanian channel in the relations it no longer needs Jordan to access tive of the Palestinian people. It between Israel and the sultanate. awareness in Gulf countries and it is no longer turned out this foolish decision, Above all, Israel’s concerns are of interested in the peace process. most enthusiastically promoted by a different nature. Israel is not in- the Arab world Israel is only interested in settle- Algerian President Houari Boume- terested in the peace process and in ments and how to perpetuate its diene, enabled Israel to consider what Jordan can contribute towards occupation of the West Bank and the West Bank and Jerusalem as reaching a reasonable and accept- limate change is a global emergency Jerusalem. Such an approach is disputed territory and not occupied able settlement with the Palestinians that respects no borders but results totally opposed to Jordan’s interests territory under international law, for the sake of the stability of the from a recent survey revealed that, in the establishment of an inde- since UN Security Council Resolu- region. Israel is no longer interested when it comes to convincing MENA pendent Palestinian state with East tion 242, which is in essence based in regional stability. populations to come to grips with the Jerusalem as its capital, mainly for on the principle of land for peace, Israel’s focus is to bring about a crisis, substantial barriers remain. demographic reasons. applies to Jordan and not to the fait accompli in the West Bank in its CRecent data gathered by Arab Barometer, a King Abdullah, speaking at the PLO. favour. It has not even the slightest nonpartisan research network that has conducted opening of the regular session of the This is simply because Jordan, as desire to recognise the historical opinion surveys across the region since 2006, Jordanian National Assembly, said: a state, enjoyed sovereignty over the Jordanian, or more precisely Hash- indicated that a strong majority of respondents said “I announce today the termination West Bank and East Jerusalem when emite, patronage over Islamic and they were “very concerned” about water and trash of the peace treaty annexes for Al the Israeli occupation took place. Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. pollution (70% and 66%, respectively). Both issues Ghamr and Baqoura areas and de- The PLO was an organisation, not an Israel has changed, so Jordan must are immediate problems that MENA residents must clare our full sovereignty on every internationally recognised state. change. By refusing to let Israel con- often deal with directly and can see with their own inch of them.” Jordan moved beyond those tinue to dispose of Jordanian land, eyes daily. Those developments certainly tragedies and abuses when the Amman is indicating it is cognisant However, when it came to more abstract or increase the king’s popularity Arabs deprived it of the legitimacy of this change and that it is able to long-term environmental issues, such as climate among his people when everyone to negotiate the return of Arab lands protect and preserve its interests and change and air quality, fewer survey respondents has had enough of an Israeli govern- based on international law and re- nothing more. said they were very worried (35% and 44%, respec- ment that may or may not exist and store its sovereignty over Jerusalem There is no doubt that some tively). which is no longer cognisant of the and the West Bank. Opinions showed no significant variations across type of Jordanian-Israeli security age and gender groups. However, more educated significance of the atmosphere that King Hussein went further. Once coordination will continue to exist and affluent respondents expressed slightly prevailed in the region when the the PLO signed the Oslo Accords but something deep has changed in stronger concerns about climate change in general. Wadi Araba Treaty was signed in in 1993, he started direct negotia- the relationship between Jordan and The survey uncovered dividing lines geographi- 1994. tions with Israel that culminated Israel. cally: Residents in rural areas were more likely to Last year, King Abdullah decided in the signing of Wadi Araba Treaty What is certain is that change is view climate change as a “very serious” problem to reclaim from Israeli tutelage by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak not sudden and impetuous but is the than those living in urban environments. the farming lands of Baqoura, east Rabin and his Jordanian counterpart result of the accumulation of devel- Lebanon was the country with the strongest of the junction of the Jordan and Abdelsalam Majali. opments that Jordan has had to deal concerns about climate change in general, followed Yarmouk rivers in Irbid governo- It was an irreplaceable opportu- with alone and which ultimately led by Tunisia and Egypt, but national differences on rate, and of Al Ghamr in Wadi Araba nity for Jordan, which knew how to to King Abdullah’s announcement specific issues were the starkest. Air quality was region in Aqaba governorate. The safeguard itself and its borders in a about Baqoura and Al Ghamr. considered a “very serious” problem for 57% of move, of course, was not a breach of volatile region. It is a popular decision in Jordan, respondents in Libya but only for 25% of those the peace treaty with Israel. Jordan took into consideration where, for a quarter of a century, surveyed in Kuwait. Jordan has taken from the peace that Egypt had preceded it by sign- Israel has never been able to make The survey adds credence to the argument that a treaty with Israel what it had ing a peace agreement with Israel significant breakthroughs or inroads. region-wide effort must be made to build awareness wanted to take. In practical terms, in 1979, to regain its occupied land, about climate change. it regained its rights to the land and that the Palestinians had signed Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese and water. It turned out that those an agreement with Israel without writer. November 17, 2019 7 Opinion

Iraqi youth want their country back Farouk Yousef Published by Al Arab Publishing House Iraq has been betrayed and continues to be betrayed and that’s what the young protesters are trying to counter with unexpected courage. Publisher and Group Executive Editor housands of angry the disease of conspiracy — it ple were smitten with poverty, is certainly true of the reality Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD young protesters in was easy for them to discover ignorance, disease and eternal of Iraq but it does hide a few various Iraqi cities that this endless dark maze they perdition as punishment. important details. Iraq has been Editor-in-Chief are chanting the are lost in cannot be a home- No one has ever dared say betrayed and continues to be be- Oussama Romdhani same slogan — “We land, for no decent homeland “This is not a homeland.” The trayed and that’s what the young want a homeland” can be infected with so many biggest lie in that swamp called protesters are trying to counter T— meaning “We want to reclaim epidemics whose rot is filling Iraq was the word “patriotism.” with unexpected courage. Managing Editor our homeland.” Such a slogan their lives. Everybody used it and abused it Iraq’s betrayal was arranged in Iman Zayat reflects a profound shift in view- Iraq has become the scene without pondering the multiple deep darkness and was made to ing reality and reconsidering its of deception, lying, fraud, distortions of its meaning. look like a natural event. Deputy Managing Editor historical facts. betrayal, vulgarity, banditry, There were times that cast Since 2003, Iraq has been a and Online Editor Through that slogan, in all its moral collapse, forgery, misin- heavy doubt on the patriotism hotbed of traitors who believe Mamoon Alabbasi painful and hurtful honesty, and formation, obfuscation of the of Iraqis. There was a deepening that their hostility to the former with its implied and embarrass- truth and buying people’s moral disappointment in the hearts of regime is enough to be a cover ing accusations of previous gen- consciousness, as well as assas- all those who loved Iraq. “That’s for their betrayal of Iraq but Senior Editor erations, Iraqis have marginal- sinations under the banner of Iraq’s grave,” a friend told me reality has exposed their be- ised all those who were involved sectarianism. as he wept. Is Iraq’s fate to be a trayal because their betrayal and John Hendel in the crime of the gradual loss Iraq has become a boat seized huge grave? greed have left Iraq naked. The of Iraq and those who have by ruthless pirates. They have “Can we really live in a grave political class that seized power Chief Copy Editor witnessed it without moving a imprisoned its owners in the called homeland?” created an Iraq that people under finger to stop it. bottom of its hull and enslaved That is the question the young the age of 20 did not recognise as Richard Pretorius It’s not just the current them. The poor souls are no people of Iraq have answered their homeland. Copy Editors government that is the target longer able to differentiate today. The youth are confront- Iraq’s youth felt like strangers of the protesters; it’s the whole between the sunshine of March ing the previous generations in that horrible Iraq, so they Stephen Quillen political class that has neglected when Damask roses bloom and with the truth. “We want a came up with the slogan “We Kyle Arensdorf national values and the religious the tenth of Muharram when homeland” has become their want a homeland.” establishment that has chosen to Iraqis mourn the anniversary of demand, knowing that no one Their right to a homeland is ride the train of politics and lost Imam Hussein’s assassination in but themselves can achieve not a service demand. This is Gulf Section Editor its faith in the divine principles. their very own country. that goal; not the government, because they see their destiny Mohammed Alkhereiji Because the young people do The whole of Iraq was turned not the political class, not the and they know that it can’t be not belong to a party and are into a Karbala, as if there was United Nations and not the filled with high hopes without a Society and Travel not raising any doctrinal slogan a hidden power that wants to international community. homeland. Sections Editor — because they know nothing inflict eternal harm on Iraq and That is their story whose se- There is a homeland called Samar Kadi of the political conflicts that its people. The country’s imagi- crets no one will understand. Iraq and that’s what needs to be plagued Iraq before they were nation was wrapped in a black Iraq was lost because its restored. Senior Correspondents even born and because they shroud and laments replaced its people did not protect it. That’s Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) have not been contaminated by national anthem, while its peo- all that can be said about it. This Farouk Yousef is an Iraqi writer. Thomas Seibert (Istanbul)

Regular Columnists Iran-backed crackdown has only Rashmee Roshan Lall Claude Salhani emboldened Iraqi demonstrators Yavuz Baydar

James Snell Correspondents The violent response unleashed by authorities has not diminished the Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) protests. Demonstrators are resigned but also hopeful. Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Roua Khlifi (Tunis) hen they strators have been killed by started at the tear-gas canisters fired at close Nazli Tarzi (London) beginning range, striking their heads and of October, shattering their skulls. The can- Chief Designer protests in isters may provide a clue for the Marwen el-Hmedi Iraq were identity of those killing protest- Wattributed to general malaise in ers. An Amnesty International in- Designers government and, crucially, the vestigation suggested that some dismissal of Lieutenant-General of the tear-gas grenades were of Ibrahim Ben Bechir Abdel-Wahab al-Saadi, a popular Iranian origin. Hanen Jebali counterterrorism officer who This use of force has not ended had notably fought against the the protests but rather embold- Islamic State. ened demonstrators. To them, Contact editor at: Five weeks on, how the pro- the violence proves Iraq’s leaders tests started is hardly discussed. are either willing to kill civilians [email protected] Why the protests began does or are beholden to other forces matter but more significant is that would do the same. that the demonstrations have Saadi’s dismissal and “the been met with extreme violence. government’s deadly response to From the beginning in Bagh- peaceful protests on October 1, Al Arab Publishing House dad, protesters were targeted convinced a generation that has Quadrant Building with live fire. Hundreds have not yet seen stability or comfort 177-179 Hammersmith Road been shot, with at least 320 that the status quo must end,” London W6 8BS killed and thousands wounded. wrote Rasha al-Aqeedi, editor Authorities used tear gas and of Irfaa Sawtak and Robert A. In the crosshairs. Iraqi security forces try to disperse protesters during hot-water cannons against dem- Fox, fellow at the Foreign Policy anti-government demonstrations in downtown Baghdad, November 12. (AP) onstrators. The way in which this Research Institute. Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 violence has been inflicted — and Michael Pregent, a senior fel- Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 by whom — is extraordinary. low at the Hudson Institute, said: that control. Syria killing campaign — and get Many protesters have been “‘The international media need “Soleimani can kill as many Iraq right,” Pregent said. shot by snipers, whose existence to put a spotlight on the sys- Iraqis as he wants to send that The violent response unleashed was acknowledged by Iraq’s mili- tematic killing of protesters by a message — only a media spotlight by authorities has not diminished US Publisher: tary but, surreally, the snipers security force co-opted by pro- on the brutality of this killing the protests. Demonstrators are were disavowed by Iraqi authori- Tehran militias — militias directly campaign can stop what’s hap- resigned but also hopeful. Video The Arab Weekly USA LLC. ties as unknowns. This sparked tied to Qassem Soleimani.” pening in Iraq. The world should exists and has achieved wide [email protected] “This is a security force that care,” Pregent said. suspicion that the snipers were circulation of protesters playing [email protected] members of Iraq’s militias, many the [prime minister] cannot International media have football amid gunfire and fight- of which are sponsored by Iran, order to take on militias because reported Iraq’s protests and ing. Others have taken to singing Tel: 248-679-6624 or perhaps directly drawn from the units have been co-opted the violence inflicted on those and dancing in city squares, Iranian forces. by the Badr Corps, Asa’ib Ahl who took to the streets but this where force cannot dislodge Iran’s encroachment in Iraq is al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah,” has largely failed to capture the those willing to demonstrate. unpopular and has been a focus all Iranian-sponsored organisa- attention of US and European “In the immediate future, the of protesters across the country, tions,” Pregent said. publics. biggest fear is the slow crack- including in the holy Shia city “The prime minister is power- Internet speeds across Iraq down that can be carried out by of Karbala, where, on November less to stop them and, worse, is have been throttled partly to waves of arrests and assassina- Subscription & Advertising: 3, the Iranian Consulate was at- like-minded in the application prevent protesters using the in- tions,” Aqeedi said. “One can look [email protected] tacked by demonstrators. of force against the protesters,” ternet to organise but also, many at how the Islamic Revolution Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 It is widely held that the crack- he said. suspect, to prevent video and treated its dissidents. down on protests is supervised Aqeedi noted something testimony depicting the violence “Despite how it ends and a and perhaps ordered by Qassem protesters fear: “The ruling class of the state and militias to leave violent scenario is certainly a Mohamed Al Mufti the country and attract global Soleimani, head of the Iranian doesn’t consider the people to be possibility, the changes brought Marketing & Advertising human beings.” More protesters outrage. Islamic Revolutionary Guards about by this uprising will not be Manager Corps’ al-Quds Force. Soleimani are killed every day. “Iraq cannot become another reversed. “There will be a next is instrumental in the running of Many say the death toll is Syria, where you can kill as many time — and a time after that — un- Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 Iran’s network of militias in Iraq, proof of the Iranian hold over as you can. This is an opportuni- til their demands are fully met.” www.alarab.co.uk Lebanon and Syria. the Iraqi state and its willingness ty for the world to make amends Shockingly, in Iraq, demon- to spill Iraqi blood to make clear for ignoring the beginnings of the James Snell is a British journalist. 8 November 17, 2019 News & Analysis Gulf Security UAE establishes defence conglomerate to boost position as global innovation player

Sabahat Khan and smart materials for defence users. Established “to disrupt an an- Dubai tiquated military industry,” Edge hopes to deliver innovative products he United Arab Emirates has to market “faster and at more cost- established a government- effective price points” than before, owned defence conglom- Edge CEO and Managing Director T erate to position itself as a Faisal al-Bannai said. Bannai was global player in advanced technolo- handpicked to lead Edge, following gies innovation and development. the highly successful development Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh of UAE cybersecurity company Dark Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Matter, which he founded. deputy supreme commander of the If Edge can transform into an in- UAE Armed Forces, joined the inau- novation-driven defence conglomer- guration ceremony of the new entity, ate, there are huge possible gains for known as Edge, which was designed the United Arab Emirates in terms of to transform local defence industrial enhanced national security and as a capabilities. global tech force where the potential Edge comes as a further consoli- for lucrative exports is strong. dation following the 2014 merger of With leading consulting firms state-run defence firms that estab- such as PricewaterhouseCoopers lished Emirates Defence Industries estimating that AI is to contribute as Company. Edge will absorb Emirates much as 14% to global GDP by 2030, Defence Industries Company, Tawa- the United Arab Emirates sees big zun Holding and Advanced Invest- opportunities as industries converge ments Group — three of the United around the world. Arab Emirates’ leading defence in- The United Arab Emirates’ eco- dustrial groups. nomic diversification efforts have Edge will take more than 25 state- been driving expansion and accel- owned subsidiaries under its um- eration of strategic programmes and brella, employing a combined work- initiatives from the government to A potential for lucrative exports. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) force of approximately 12,000 with position the country as an interna- attends the inauguration ceremony of the new entity, known as Edge, November 5. (WAM) annual revenues topping $5 billion. tional force in technology innova- Edge comprises subsidiaries tion for the future. across a broad spectrum of industrial The United Arab Emirates recent- known as UAE 2031, which provided the Middle East — in the government ed the Centre for the Fourth Indus- focus areas and capabilities, includ- ly created the world’s first higher ed- a plan for making government and AI readiness index compiled by Ox- trial Revolution, a ground-breaking ing manufacturers of autonomous ucation institution dedicated to AI. public services more efficient as ford Insights but the country has research facility in the Middle East, vehicles, small arms, precision-guid- The Mohamed bin Zayed University well as transforming strategic sec- ambitions to move closer to the top. in cooperation with the World Eco- ed systems, armoured vehicles and of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), tors such as education, space and In another pioneering move, the nomic Forum. naval vessels. Edge is to recluster its in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, will renewable energy, for example, to UAE cabinet adopted a resolution Dubai’s Centre for 4IR brings the subsidiaries group along five lines: open to students next September enhance the quality of life. to appoint a UAE Fourth Industrial United Arab Emirates into a net- platforms and systems; missiles and offering master’s degrees and doc- The United Arab Emirates ranks in Revolution (4IR) ambassador — the work of countries leading the 4IR weapons; cyber-defence; electronic toral programmes. the world’s Top 20 — the highest in first post of its kind in the world. transformation including the United warfare and intelligence; and mis- UAE officials said they hope MB- With a global mandate and a mis- States, China, Japan, Israel, India sion support. ZUAI propels the United Arab Emir- If Edge can transform into sion to elevate tech diplomacy, the and Colombia, as well as a host of Investing big in technology inno- ates into an international force for an innovation-driven United Arab Emirates 4IR ambassa- major tech leaders such as Micro- vation and prioritising artificial in- AI research in machine learning, dor would function as the spearhead soft, Amazon, Huawei and Reliance telligence (AI) across its future prod- computer vision and natural lan- defence conglomerate, for government efforts in develop- Industries. uct and service development plans, guage processing, which have been there are huge possible ing global partnerships to position Edge has its sights set on becoming dominated by the United States and gains for the United Arab the United Arab Emirates as a global Sabahat Khan maintains a an international leader in developing China. Emirates in terms of bridge for regions as they undergo cross-disciplinary focus in robotics, advanced autonomous sys- In 2017, the United Arab Emir- enhanced national security the 4IR. international security, defence tems, advanced propulsion systems ates developed its first AI strategy, and as a global tech force. Earlier this year, Dubai inaugurat- policy and strategic issues.

Viewpoint Seeking a new approach to Gulf security he speech by Anwar Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These The survey said there was broad in formally separate deals on nu- Gargash at the Abu are exactly the people needed to support for an expanded, strength- clear, ballistic and regional issues. Dhabi Strategic Forum deliver what Gargash envisaged. ened JCPOA, with extensions to More pessimistically, 27% said they was the clearest Arab The interviews were off the its “sunset clauses” (the limits to “did not consider any diplomatic Gareth Smyth call yet for a new record. “It’s a sensitive topic and Iran’s nuclear activities begin to ex- outcome possible,” which was the approach to Gulf we wanted people not to feel pire in 2025) and expanded moni- result most commonly cited in Tsecurity. bound by political allegiances, to toring by the International Atomic Russia, the United Kingdom and Envisaging “collective diplo- speak more freely,” said report co- Energy Agency. Even US corre- Saudi Arabia. macy,” Gargash, the UAE minister author Sanam Vakil, deputy head spondents rejected as unachiev- While the Gulf Arab countries of state for foreign affairs, implic- of Chatham House’s Middle East able the US demand that Iran give “are all talking from the same itly acknowledged limitations in North Africa Programme, currently up all uranium enrichment. script,” the report suggested a dif- United States “maximum pressure” visiting Saudi Arabia. “Getting to a New Iran Deal” ference in approach between the on Iran, in place since US President Respondents were asked about examined the possibilities both United Arab Emirates and Saudi Donald Trump withdrew from the options. There was wide agree- for bilateral US-Iran engagement, Arabia. “The UAE has been pursu- 2015 nuclear deal, officially known ment that Trump’s approach con- including the kind of tete-a-tete ing a quiet bilateral de-escalation as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of tributed to regional instability and loved by Trump, hopes for which with Iran,” said Vakil, “whereas Ri- Action (JCPOA). divided Washington from Europe. fluttered briefly during the G7 in yadh is not pursuing this pathway. Gargash emphasised the dangers US withdrawal from the JCPOA August and a more complex, com- They don’t want to sit down with in linked crises with September’s was based on “the belief that the prehensive process. Tehran.” attacks on Saudi Aramco oil facili- sustained economic pressure and Only 16% of respondents said a Vakil said her recent visit to ties, Turkey’s intervention in Syria, sanctions could force Iran to rene- bilateral breakthrough between the United Arab Emirates had not Israel’s threats to annex more gotiate the JCPOA,” said the report, the United States and Iran was produced “specific confirmation” Palestinian land, unrest in Iraq and but respondents “repeatedly viable, although those respond- of reports that Prince Tahnoun bin Lebanon and “ongoing conflicts” in pointed out that Tehran’s calcula- ents were primarily American Zayed, the UAE national security Yemen and Libya. “Further escala- tions are not solely predicated on and Iranian. Most experts were, adviser, visited Tehran in Octo- tion… serves no one,” he argued. economic variables.” said the report, “highly sceptical,” ber but she agreed that Gargash’s Gargash offered no simple solu- The economic evidence is mixed with many identifying obstacles in speech to the Abu Dhabi Strategic tions but demanded bravery and since the Chatham House inter- probable obstruction from Russia Forum reflected a wider Emirati patience in establishing a new pro- views were conducted between and China as well as domestic op- approach including “back-chan- cess involving the United States, December and June. While Iran’s position in both the United States nelling.” Europe and Gulf countries through economy is in a severe downturn, and Iran. “If you talk to Gulf diplomats off which “strong regional multilater- it is predicted to stabilise next year, Such obstacles could be over- the record, they will acknowledge While the Gulf Arab alism” would tackle Iran’s missile with the World Bank forecasting come, respondents said, through there will have to be quid pro quo countries “are all programme and its “aggressive” 0.5% growth in 2020-21. a wider process. Washington, [with Iran] but it’s hard to move regional policies. Might this reflect “Iran is not going to change its however, remained crucial. Said away from the official position,” talking from the same a wider mood among decision- course because of GDP figures,” Vakil: “There was a wide feeling Vakil added, “and they see ‘maxi- script,” the report makers? said Vakil. “They are going to that Washington was needed to mum pressure’ as constraining suggested a difference In October, Chatham House pub- change their course when they get provide assurances for regional Iran, even if negotiations are seen lished “Getting to a New Iran Deal,” some kind of offer. They need to be actors, including sanctions relief as the end game.” in approach between a report based on interviews with able to justify coming back to the for Iran.” the United Arab 75 policymakers and analysts from table. Otherwise, Iran will continue Hence 32% of respondents said Gareth Smyth is a regular the United States, Iran, the United to double down, breaching the nu- an improved “JCPOA+” was pos- contributor to The Arab Weekly. Emirates and Kingdom, France, Germany, Israel, clear file and potentially escalating sible while another 23% said they He has reported from the Middle Saudi Arabia. Russia, China, the United Arab in the region.” saw a more realistic way forward East since 1992. November 17, 2019 9 News & Analysis Qatar Interview Former hostage Christian Chesnot sheds light on Qatar’s influence networks, old and new

who received the USB key at Le Fi- Hamad [bin Khalifa al-Thani] garo. For us, the source still remains thought he was the commander of a mystery.” the Faithful in the Arab world. Qa- Majed Nehme TAW: Someone from inside the tar, thinking that the winds of his- Qatari power circle? tory were in favour of political Islam CC: “We can’t really say. Rather represented by the Muslim Brother- hristian Chesnot, an than raise questions about the hood, jumped on the opportunity investigative journal- sources, we proceeded with the to ride this wave, arming, financing ist at French radio authentication of the documents this brotherhood and the satellite channel France Inter, by enlisting the help of specialists. Islamist groups of this nebula every- is a specialist on the Once the verification was done, where in the Arab world. Arab world where he we proceeded with checking the “Except that, at some point, there spent many years in authenticity of the information on was a surge then ebb and there will CLebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and the field and it was only from there be a downfall. In 2013, Emir [Sheikh] other places and to which he that we made the decision to write a Tamim [bin Hamad al-Thani] suc- devoted many works, some of book about it. ceeded his father in Qatar and the which were co-written with Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Georges Malbrunot, senior President Muhammad Morsi was reporter at Le Figaro. The Qatari money will ousted in Egypt. ” Chesnot was kidnapped in Iraq in TAW: One has the impression that August 2004 by the Islamic Army no longer be invested the Qatari leaders persist on the in Iraq along with Malbrunot. After directly to finance same path. 124 days of detention, Chesnot and CC: “I do not know if they will Malbrunot were set free. political Islam but it persist. However, it is clear that af- Following the broadcast by will go through the ter the release of our book followed French-German TV channel ARTE of networks of the by the broadcast of our documen- a documentary based on his inves- tary on ARTE, they stopped funding tigation of the financing of political Turkish Muslim some of their projects for political Islam in France and Europe, The Brothers. Islam in Mulhouse, Switzerland and Arab Weekly spoke with Chesnot in elsewhere but this is only camou- Paris. “It is true that there were ques- flage because it has become obvious The Arab Weekly (TAW): What led tions about the source but the that they are pursuing their strategy you to publish “Qatar Papers” and information was so overwhelming, via the Turks. turn it into a documentary? exceptional, truthful and irrefu- “I think this new tactic of handing Christian Chesnot (CC): “In 2013, table that we decided as journal- over the baton to [Turkish President we published a first book on Qatar ists, whose primary mission is to Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s regime, titled ‘Qatar, les secrets du coffre- inform the public, to publish it. their great ally, deserves a new fort’ (‘Qatar, The Secrets of the What had pushed us even more to book. We have some clues about Strongbox’), which was followed publish them was the duplicity of this relay but we will need to check by two other books: ‘Nos très chers the people quoted and their double them out on the field. Years of investigation. Christian Chesnot, investigative journalist émirs, sont-ils vraiment nos amis?’ language despite the documents “What is certain is that the Qatari at French radio channel France Inter. (Courtesy of Christian Chesnot) (‘Our Dearest Emirs, Are They Really — cheques, transfers, correspond- money will no longer be invested Our Friends?’) in 2016 and ‘Qatar ences, et cetera — that we had directly to finance political Islam Papers, comment l’émirat finance presented to them.” but it will go through the networks ity play in Qatar’s diplomacy? “On the other hand, there were l’islam de France et d’Europe’ TAW: How would you explain the of the Turkish Muslim Brothers. CC: “In all the documents to consequences. Qatar Charity, fol- (‘Qatar Papers, How the Emirate is fact that a small gas monarchy of TAW: With such a small geopoliti- which we had access, there was lowing this documentary, stopped Financing Islam in France and in just 10,000 sq.km can have such a cal dimension, how dare they play no doubt that this pseudo-NGO is financing several of its offending Europe’) in 2019. bold and even aggressive strategy of in the big leagues? one of the tools used by the state projects in Europe. We received “Initially, we had in mind in the political, economic and ideological CC: “It was between 2011 and 2013 of Qatar to carry out its strategy. calls from Reims, Poitiers and other first book of this trilogy to focus on influence directed at much bigger that they had blown a fuse when All donors are from public institu- cities where mosques were financed investments, education and sport and more powerful states such as they decided to move from soft tions in Qatar, the al-Thani dynasty by Qatari money to tell us that they and we played down the role of Saudi Arabia and Egypt? power to hard power. Previously, and their dependents. It has no took note of these documents and Qatar in proselytism and in the pro- CC: “In our three books on Qatar, they took the role of mediators and financial, political and decision- that they will act accordingly.” motion of political Islam that was we explained that this country is reconcilers between Palestinian fac- making independence. All their TAW: How to explain the fact not visible at the time. In the second first and foremost a money strong- tions. They intervened in Darfur and money transactions and transfers that Qatar, after the revelations you book, published three years later, box. A colossal fortune simply fell in Lebanon in 2008. go through their embassies.” made public, still does not budge we began to look at this aspect, to on the Qataris. They, however, “All of this will turn out to be pure TAW: Could you explain to us in its strategy and refuses to let go talk about Qatar Charity, including always felt inferior to their neigh- dissimulation. This was clear in why Qatar is using the Muslim of the Muslim Brothers, despite the the ambiguous role of Qatar in Mali bours Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh. Libya. For the first time, the Qataris Brotherhood in its strategy of influ- regional and international problems and Africa. It was only with the They needed to exist and this was will have 12 Mirage fighter planes ence in Europe and of infiltration of that this strategy is causing them? third and last book and because we especially clear during the reign of integrated into the NATO forces in the Muslims of France? CC: “I think they are currently re- had access to concrete and verifi- Hamad, the father of the current the War Room, side by side with the CC: “There is ideological proxim- configuring their approach. As they able documents did we discover the emir. Americans, the French, the British ity between the Brothers and the abandon their blatant financing of extent of this hidden strategy. “They couldn’t do that militar- and the Turks. There, they forgot ruling family. This is not recent. certain projects in Europe, they rely “Until then, Qatar has never ily, given their demographic and their soft power and engaged mili- [Yusuf] al-Qaradawi has been living on their Turkish allies to pursue this boasted of having financed Salafist geographical size. So, they started tarily. With this participation in the in Qatar since the ‘60s. Qatar’s uni- strategy. Insofar as they feel they mosques in France and in Europe. building a whole base of soft power war against Libya, they moved to versities and schools are infiltrated are spared by Westerners, at least That had baffled us because we through military alliances with the another stage. This is their turning by Muslim Brotherhood teachers until the World Cup in 2022, there is later discovered a whole project, a United States and Great Britain but point and their transition to hard and activists mainly from Egypt. likely to be no change.” programme. It was not a question of also through sports, education, power. It was like the story of the They relied on them to carry out TAW: Would France consider financing a mosque here and there culture, investments. At one frog that wanted to be as big as the their strategy of spreading political declaring the Muslim Brotherhood a but a project on a European point, they had a historic ox .” Islam. terrorist organisation? scale. We’re talking opportunity: the ‘Arab TAW: Qatar wanted to organise “The Muslim Brothers have had CC: “It was the Americans who here about 140 pro- spring.’ From 2011-13, the Islam of France in order to turn a foothold in Europe since the ‘50s had contemplated such a measure. jects spread from the they took themselves it into a powerful lobby but this and the Qataris naturally have re- In France, this is not the case yet Norwegian far north for the kings of the Arab project was unsuccessful. sorted to them. The Islamist regime but one feels through the speech to Sicily in the south world. CC: “The Qataris wanted to create in Turkey can rely on this commu- of [French President] Emmanuel and all over Europe. “At that time, as a Muslim CRIF (Conseil Repre- nity to spread its ideology while the Macron when he speaks of commu- “The extent of they are astute and sentatif des Institutions Juives de Qataris have no such community. nitarianism, of political Islam, that the implementation opportunistic people France, the umbrella organisation That’s why they rely on the Muslim there is a new awareness. Our book of this programme who know the power of Jewish organisations in France) Brotherhood network.” has pushed a little towards that It is was impressive and of money well, they of sorts, and this by including all TAW: But they also act through important for us to enlighten public exceptional. This whole hijacked the Arab of their networks that are close to their media, including Al Jazeera opinion about what is happening at programme was con- League, paving the the Muslim Brotherhood through but also on the internet, not to this level in our country.” ducted through an NGO way for the war the huge Salafist mosques they mention financial and economic TAW: Qatar has excellent rela- named Qatar Charity. We against Libya and the financed. investments. tions with both Hamas and Israel. already knew the NGOs expulsion of Syria “They have, in this case, in CC: “Yes, they tried to exercise How would you explain this game that boasted of dealing from this league. particular, pushed their pawns their influence through these of doing the splits? with relief, humanitar- “It happened at a time too far and burned their fingers. networks. They even projected, CC: “It is a bit like their com- ian action, development but we did when a revolution was taking place Their image has been tarnished through their media outlets, of munication discourse: ‘We are not know this shadowy organisa- in Egypt, Libya was in tatters, Syria in Western public opinion, not to course, to overplay the affair of the friends with everyone.’ They call tion, which, without being secret, was busy with its wars and Iraq mention in the Arab world where headscarf and Islamophobia.” themselves ‘friends’ with the remained out of the media lights, was traumatised by the American they are being denounced for their TAW: You have not been pres- Americans, the Taliban and Hamas rather hidden under the mantle. invasion, Algeria was absent and destabilising role and their financ- sured? but this game has gone so far that When we got hold of all these docu- the Gulf countries were paralysed ing of terrorism. Their Al Jazeera CC: “There was a letter from it is no longer credible. Now Qatar ments, all those figures contained in by the fall of [Egyptian President channel has lost all credibility. They Qatar’s Communications Officer in is a country that raises questions, a USB key, we were dumbfounded. Hosni] Mubarak and the advent of now have a reputation as corruptors France asking ARTE not to broad- doubts and suspicions.” TAW: How did you get this trove the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. and of being the Trojan horse of the cast the documentary. The chan- of information? “Qatar found itself standing alone Muslim Brothers.” nel, however, did not comply and Majed Nehme is a Syrian-French CC: “It was Georges Malbrunot, in the arena and Emir [Sheikh] TAW: What role does Qatar Char- maintained the broadcast. journalist in Paris. 10 November 17, 2019 News & Analysis Tunisia Parliament elects leader of Islamist movement as speaker after rival party's dramatic reversal

Lamine Ghanmi of manoeuvres and refined polit- ical game,” said Tunis university law teacher Sghaier Zakraoui. Tunis “The only revolutionary force left is Ennahda, which faces off slamist Ennahda Movement with a counter-revolutionary ri- President Rached Ghan- val Qalb Tounes, that represents nouchi was elected speaker the old regime,” Ghannouchi had I of the Tunisian parliament said before the parliamentarian after his party and Qalb Tounes, election October 6. a rival secularist party, made a U- Qalb Tounes was dubbed the turn in pledges not to forge alli- “macaroni party” by Islamists ances with each other. and secularists who criticised the Ghannouchi, at 78 the oldest party’s distribution of free food member of the 217-member par- and the highlighting of Karoui’s liament, won 123 votes against charitable activities by his TV three contenders from secularist channel Nessma TV as “exploita- groups mainly because of back- tive” of the poor. ing from Qalb Tounes, which, The about-face by Ennahda with 38 seats, has the second- and Qalb Tounes is indicative of largest party bloc in parliament. the failure of Islamists to widen Ennahda won 52 seats in legis- their political support base. They lative elections based on pledges entered talks with other groups backed by strong language from after the elections with Ghan- Ghannouchi and other Islam- nouchi and other Islamist leaders ist leaders that the party would insisting only two parties were to “never ally itself” with Qalb be excluded from the talks: Qalb Tounes. They described the sec- Tounes “because of corruption” ularist party and its leader, Na- and the Free Destourian Party bil Karoui, as “overshadowed by (PDL) because of its “animosity suspicions of corruption.” towards the revolution.” Karoui, despite being a candi- PDL President Abir Moussi, date in the runoff of the presi- who is virulently anti-Ennahda, dential election, was jailed before won 21 votes against Ghannouchi the elections for more than one in the November 13 vote for About-face. Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Abdelfattah Mourou (L) shakes hands with new month on accusations of money speaker. Moussi tried to delay the parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi during the first parliamentary session in Tunis, November 13. (AP) laundering and tax evasion. opening sessions by voicing legal Qalb Tounes spent a lot of time objections over the way the oath justifying its backing of Ghan- of office was to be taken by MPs. versal, Ghannouchi shrugged larists, Ghannouchi denied re- gain the position of speaker be- nouchi. “Ennahda contacted us. Outside of Qalb Tounes and criticism saying: “Only stu- sponsibility for the lacklustre cause “parliament is at the cen- It made the first step towards us. more extremist Islamists, Ennah- pid people never change their performance of governments dur- tre of political power. That’s why We agreed to back Ghannouchi as da appeared politically isolated. minds.” ing the past eight years. He also we gave priority to our role in the speaker in return for our deputy Centre-left Attayar ad- Analysts said the Islamists’ steered away from assuming any parliament,” Ghannouchi said af- Samira Chaouachi getting elected dimokrati (Democratic Current) strategy to focus on entrenching official position in government. ter his election as speaker. first deputy speaker,” said Qalb party, the No. 3 group in the par- themselves in government at any In a break with this stand, he Analysts said he wanted to fin- Tounes MP Foued Thameur. liament with 22 seats, fielded one cost has driven away some po- ran for parliament this year to ish his political career in a pres- Chaouachi won 109 votes and of its leaders, Ghazi Chaouachi as tential allies and cost them sup- tigious political position because was elected first deputy speaker speaker, taking 45 votes. Tahya port within their own party. En- The about-face by Ennahda he is prevented by party bylaws in parliament. Tounes, led by former Prime nahda claimed 1.5 million votes and Qalb Tounes is from running next year for En- “The results of the vote in the Minister Youssef Chahed, put in 2012 but totalled 400,000 in nahda leadership. parliament showed that Ennahda forth its deputy Marouane Felfel, the October election. indicative of the failure of is the party that is capable of out- who won 18 votes. Although Ennahda has ruled Islamists to widen their Full version of this article appears on foxing all other parties in terms Asked about the dramatic re- since 2012 in coalition with secu- political support base. www.thearabweekly.com Viewpoint Ghannouchi’s short-term victory could spell long-term trouble

credibility with his base. old Islamist guru turned politician Rafik Abdessalem, who has been behind his detention. For Tunisians who put their hopes may have secured the position of dogged by a financial scandal dating Over the past eight years, Ennahda in Qalb Tounes and other secularist parliament speaker but he has lost to his days as foreign minister in has been in control of Tunisian Iman Zayat parties that vowed to clip the wings considerable leverage and credibility 2012. The scandal was uncovered by politics, regardless of whichever of political Islam, the development by cooperating with a party he once investigative reporter Olfa Riahi, who secularist party appeared to be in was a stunning setback. Ennahda described as “corrupt.” published hotel receipts revealing charge. This has not changed, even hat came as a is likely to play a prominent role in Some would argue Ghannouchi that Abdessalem had used a combi- after thousands mobilised to bring surprise for some parliament and a future cabinet. never had credibility to begin with. nation of state funds and a personal down “the system.” Tunisians was Such tactical calculations are not Long considered an Islamist mas- slush fund of $1 million provided by Ennahda and Ghannouchi may act expected by new in Tunisia. Since the 2011 upris- termind in Tunisia, Ghannouchi has the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to as though they are not threatened others: Rached ing that ousted the regime of Tuni- time and again gone back on prom- rent suites at the Sheraton Hotel and by the popular mobilisation against Ghannouchi, the sian President Zine el-Abidine Ben ises and commitments. This time, lavishly entertain “guests,” including the “system” but they are indeed Wleader of the Islamist Ennahda Ali, the country’s politicians have however, he might be punished for it. a woman who was not his wife. part and parcel of the system people Movement, would officially be engaged in endless bargaining games Unlike before, Ghannouchi functions The scandal is one of many that are turning against, having played Tunisia’s parliament speaker. and manoeuvres after each election. as a political figure. This will expose Ghannouchi hopes to keep swept a big role in designing the National This was made possible after the Promises made to constituents are him to national and international under the rug. Ennahda has blocked Constituent Assembly of 2011. rival Qalb Tounes party surprisingly rarely kept and values and principles media and place him under greater investigations into a secret appa- That being said, Ghannouchi will backed Ghannouchi’s candidacy. go to the wayside as parties jockey scrutiny. ratus connected to the party that carry on with business as usual, at Qalb Tounes and Ennahda had both for power. As popular disillusionment grows is suspected of being involved in least for now. He can form all the previously pledged not to work to- This political environment has over Ennahda’s power-sharing ar- the assassination of leftist leaders shaky alliances he wants with recy- gether, with Islamists accusing Qalb allowed for “partisan tourism” and rangement, Tunisia’s political future Mohamed Brahmi and Chokri Belaid. cled faces and parties that claim a Tounes and its leader, Nabil Karoui, division within parties, especially does not appear bright. With public Ghannouchi’s new position, which secular background. He can build his of obstructing Tunisia’s revolutionary secularist ones, as well as creating distrust threatening Ghannouchi’s earns him a permanent seat at the prestige and explain to supporters aims and being corrupt to the bone. a sense of public mistrust towards influence as well as the foundations National Security Council, could help how those he deems “corrupt” are Of course, Qalb Tounes, with 38 the political elite. Such mistrust was of the political system that emerged him to bury that case once and for still worth working with. He can also deputies, was not the only political evident during October’s parliamen- after 2011, it is unclear how politi- all. It will also allow him to keep an play one rival against the other and force that helped Ghannouchi secure tary and presidential elections, in cians will solve the lingering social eye on the security issues discussed threaten critics and dissidents. the top spot in parliament. The long- which anti-establishment candidates, and economic problems facing the at the palace. However, frustration with the time Islamist leader also received including Kais Saied, who won the country. Ghannouchi’s newfound role, political establishment and with 21 votes from the far-right Islamist presidential vote, led the pack. Of course, Tunisia’s political and which provides him with immunity, Ennahda’s manoeuvres to remain Karama coalition and 12 from the Ironically, Tunisians who hoped for economic stability are not Ghan- will also give him greater power to in control will only build among the National Reform coalition headed change face a similar political land- nouchi’s primary concern. The Islam- intimidate critics and silence dis- people. by Hassouna Nasfi, which includes scape — a coalition government with ist leader, who was inspired by the sident voices within the Islamist What will happen and what some independents as well as rep- Islamists and secularists. For some Muslim Brotherhood even before the movement. Tunisians, who put their trust in resentatives of four secular political Tunisians, this constitutes a vicious founding of al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya in By emerging from the shadows the political class yet again, might parties: Nidaa Tounes, Afek Tounes, cycle that undermines the future of 1969, has shown that he is most inter- and taking a prominent political role, do remains to be seen. The best Al-Badil and Machrouu Tounes. In a the country. For others, it is the logi- ested in ensuring benefits for his in- Ghannouchi is reminding both his message for people who feel duped statement released, later, Machrouu cal outcome of an electoral system ner circle, including family members, supporters and opponents that he is by Ennahda’s discourse and Qalb Tounes denied voting in favour of based on proportional representation close confidants and senior Ennahda the man who pulls the strings. Tounes’s promises can be summed Ghannouchi's candidacy. and a political system that rests on members. His inner circle has been Indeed no one doubts the man’s up in Ghannouchi’s response to his It would be naive to think Ghan- a dysfunctional semi-parliamentary key to ensuring his political influence political cunning. This was evident deal with Qalb Tounes: “Only fools nouchi’s victory came for free. It regime in which no winning party and maintaining control over En- in his deal with Qalb Tounes, whose never change their minds.” opened the way for his party’s former could rule without consensus. nahda when divisions creep in. leader Karoui had been jailed for enemy Qalb Tounes to participate in As things stand, everyone is a Among the members of Ghan- more than a month before the elec- Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor of a coalition government and hurt his loser, including Ghannouchi. The nouchi’s inner circle is his son-in-law tions, with Ennahda rumoured to be The Arab Weekly. November 17, 2019 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Mauritania says ‘time has come’ for a solution to Western Sahara conflict

Lamine Ghanmi tween Rabat and Nouakchott dur- ing the reign of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Tunis Mauritania’s engagement in the Western Sahara dispute dates back auritania, in an apparent to the 1970s, when it seized a third diplomatic shift after the of the territory after the Spanish election of a new leader, withdrawal and fought an unsuc- M said it “hopes to see a cessful war with the Polisario Front. solution” to the Western Sahara After decades of political instabil- dispute that has long divided neigh- ity, the desert Western African na- bouring Morocco and Algeria. tion found its most peaceful era un- “We are not onlookers. We want der the leadership of former army to see a solution to this conflict as general Ould Abdel Aziz starting in soon as possible,” said Mauritanian 2008. Foreign Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Ould Abdel Aziz stepped down Ahmed at a news conference No- last August after former Defence vember 9. Minister Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed el-Ghazouani won the presi- New statements seem to dential election, paving the way for indicate that Mauritania the country’s first peaceful transi- is shifting its support tion of power. In his recent remarks, the foreign towards Morocco, which minister stressed that “the time has maintains the disputed come for a just and permanent so- Western Sahara region as lution to the (Western Sahara) con- an integral part of the flict that would be accepted by all kingdom. parties” and said the problem had “wreaked great suffering and mis- “Mauritania is active and keen to ery on the people of the Maghreb.” find a solution to this conflict that Mauritanian analysts said that is accepted by all parties involved Ghazouani’s choice of Cheikh in this regional dispute that caused Ahmed as foreign minister was a the paralysis of the Maghreb Arab sign of support to Morocco and in- Playing a more active role. A 2018 file picture shows Mauritanian Foreign Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Union,” he added. dicated that Nouakchott, which has Ahmed arriving for UN-backed discussions on the disputed Western Sahara region in Geneva. (AFP) The statements seem to indi- open channels of communication cate that Mauritania is shifting its with Polisario leaders and good re- gion, but Morocco has insisted it is Libya and threatened with jihadist struggles to emerge as a grouping support towards Morocco, which lations with Sahrawi tribal leaders, only willing to provide “expanded movements, faces many uncertain- and faces the risk of dilution in its maintains the disputed Western Sa- could play a more active role in ne- autonomy.” ness which inhibit from moving for- core geopolitical essence.” hara region as an integral part of the gotiations. The Polisario’s planned conven- ward and stunt its potential. “The stalemate of the Great kingdom. The foreign minister’s statements tion will take place one week after “The Great Maghreb is pulled Maghreb project is because of ir- Mauritania previously maintained also came as Polisario leaders pre- Algeria’s presidential elections, from inside by centrifugal forces reconcilable geopolitical ambitions a position of “positive neutrality” in pared for a convention December which could usher in a new foreign and is being weakened by events be- and unsolved conflicts that open which it engaged with both sides 19-22 to chart a path forward. The policy for the country. setting the Sahel region,” said Meh- the door for foreign actors deter- of the conflict. This stance irked Polisario Front demands an inde- Many analysts say the Maghreb di Taje, managing director of Global mined to weigh in on the strategic Morocco and strained relations be- pendence referendum for the re- region, struggling with conflict in Prospect Intelligence. “The region balances,” he added. Sarraj’s camp pins hope on US, French support to hold back Libyan National Army

Michel Cousins Sending Qaddafi to the Hague French and the Americans, it is try- would present major challenges for ing to woo. the GNA. Supporters of the former The wooing of the French has not Tunis regime are bitterly opposed to such a been particularly difficult despite the move but, as many of them now sup- earlier standoff, which in April saw aced with a weakening mili- port Haftar, the GNA is unlikely to be Bashagha suspend security coopera- tary defence in southern particularly concerned about their tion with France because of its per- Tripoli against the Libyan Na- views. ceived support for the LNA. Hoping for support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) shakes hands with Libyan Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Taher Siala tional Army, the Libyan Presi- More important is to stem public In July, the admission by France F at the US State Department in Washington, November 14. (AFP) dential Council stepped up efforts to sympathy for Qaddafi. In the chaotic that it had owned missiles seized by convince the international commu- and miserable conditions in which the GNA from retreating LNA forces nity, notably the United States and many Libyans live because of the in Gharyan the previous month did the Russian private military compa- conflict against the will of the Libyan France, to support it. conflict, particularly in and around not make relations any easier. How- ny, the Wagner Group, whose boss, people.” Council Interior Minister Fathi Tripoli and in south Libya, there ever, French officials are said to insist Yevgeny Prigozhin, is close to Rus- The use of quotes regarding the Bashagha, the most powerful mem- is considerable nostalgia for the now that the previous support for sian President Vladimir Putin. This is LNA was significant and deliberate. It ber of the council’s Government of Qaddafi regime and a belief that the Haftar in his fight against terrorism probably an exaggeration. Most relia- indicates that the United States does National Accord (GNA), and Foreign younger Qaddafi could turn the clock is over and that France fully backs a ble sources put the figure at not more not consider it legal. It was one of Minister Mohamed Siala have been back and give Libyans a better life. political, not a military, solution. than 200, possibly even just 100. Washington’s strongest statements in Washington trying to convince the Handing him to the ICJ would not The GNA is hoping to build on that. That has not stopped the GNA of support for the GNA. Trump administration that a victory be widely popular. This is likely to Maiteeq’s visit to Paris follows a civil from maximising the reports. Sar- The notion that the Americans or for the Libyan National Army (LNA), be more so given the growing be- security agreement between France raj warned of a Russian takeover if any other members of the interna- headed by Field-Marshal Khalifa lief throughout Libya that the in- and Libya, signed this month in Tu- Haftar were to win and called on the tional community should help end Haftar, would deliver Libya into Rus- ternational community, rather than nis by Bashagha. United States to act to restore peace foreign interference in Libya may sian hands. Libyan divisions, is the source of the For the GNA, however, a change in in the country. In meetings in early sound contradictory but it is what Presidential Council Vice-Presi- country’s woes and that only when French policy, away from supporting November with the US ambassador, the GNA is banking on. Sarraj’s gov- dent Ahmed Maiteeq went to Paris foreign interference stops can Liby- Haftar and instead backing a politi- both Sarraj and Bashagha repeat- ernment receives active support, seeking French support. The visit ans start to resolve their differences cal solution, is less important than a edly stressed the threat from Russian including in the military field, from is in sharp contrast to strained rela- themselves. change in Washington’s policy. mercenaries. Turkey and Qatar. tions between Tripoli and Paris and Ever since he was taken to Zintan Despite suspicions that US Presi- The fear that Russia, having se- The proposed Berlin conference, the verbal attacks on France by GNA after being captured in November dent Donald Trump is sympathetic cured most of Syria, has its eyes fixed still a work in progress, has the pro- Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj accus- 2011, Qaddafi has been kept as a bar- to Haftar, Washington appears to be on Libya appears to have taken hold claimed objective of ending foreign ing it of supporting Haftar. gaining chip. Despite reports of his moving in Sarraj’s direction. Con- in Washington. For the first time, al- interference. Despite the LNA’s mod- Developing a third axis for wider release and an amnesty from author- cerns about Russia’s intentions in most since 2014, a much sharper US est advances in southern Tripoli in international support, the GNA said ities in eastern Libya in June 2017, Libya are the reason. policy is emerging. October, there is optimism among it is prepared to hand over Saif al- Qaddafi is said to be held in Zintan Those concerns were fuelled by In a statement November 14, dur- Tripoli officials that it will go ahead. Islam Qaddafi to the International by Sarraj’s commander of operations reports of hundreds of Russian mer- ing Bashagha’s and Siala’s visit to The hope in Sarraj’s camp is that Court of Justice (ICJ). In proceed- in the area west of Tripoli, Osama Ju- cenaries fighting alongside the LNA Washington, the US government the US political cavalry will arrive at ings at the ICJ relating to the case of waili. in southern Tripoli, bringing a new called on the “Libyan National the 11th hour, make its views felt and former dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s The GNA is, therefore, in a position impetus to the LNA’s hitherto flag- Army” to end its Tripoli offensive. thwart an LNA victory. son, lawyers representing the GNA to deliver him and score points with ging offensive. It spoke of the need to prevent for- said the Tripoli-based government the ICJ, the United Nations and vari- Some speak of more than 1,000 eign interference in the country and Michel Cousins is a contributor to approved his handover. ous foreign governments, such as the mercenaries in Libya employed by of “Russia’s attempts to exploit the The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. 12 November 17, 2019 News & Analysis Egypt Egyptian MP faces parliament’s wrath for proposing reforms

Special Correspondent liamentary session, said: “Freedom does not mean that everybody can talk without limits. Transcending Cairo these limits turns freedom into a crime.” he Egyptian parliament A coalition of 40 parties backing has referred an opposition Sisi accused Tantawi of serving the politician to a disciplinary interests of Egypt’s Islamist opposi- T committee for proposing a tion, especially the Muslim Broth- reform initiative. erhood. “Tantawi likes proposing MP Ahmed Tantawi proposed initiatives that appear reformist the formation of 12 panels to in- on the surface but are destructive vestigate and find solutions for in essence,” the coalition said in a Egypt’s economic, political and so- statement. cial problems. He posted a video to Violent reaction to the initiative Facebook to explain the initiative, and Tantawi’s bumpy political fu- during which he called on Egyptian ture underscore the calamities of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi not to Egypt’s opposition. There is grow- run in the presidential elections in ing intolerance in Egypt to those 2022. who think or speak differently. Tantawi also described amend- Intolerance can cause those who ments introduced to the constitu- buck the general trend to land in tion in April as a “setback.” The jail, lose their jobs or face social dis- amendments, he said, established grace, analysts said. a political system similar to one “The opposition has little chance prevalent in the Middle Ages by to express itself either inside the concentrating power in the hands parliament or outside it,” said of the president. Mustafa Kamal al-Sayed, a political science professor at Cairo Universi- A coalition of 40 parties ty. “There is high sensitivity to po- litical opponents, especially when Defying the system. Egyptian MP Ahmed Tantawi speaks during an interview with BCC Arabic. (BBC Arabic) backing Sisi accused they are credible.” Tantawi of serving the Few of Egypt’s more than 100 interests of Egypt’s political parties are in the opposi- to the streets. Egypt’s water security. for communicating with foreign Islamist opposition, tion. Most parties in opposition had Sisi is also building hundreds of However, this does not justify NGOs. Another MP was kicked out especially the Muslim to freeze their activities, either be- thousands of flats, implementing bullying the opposition inside and for meeting with the Israeli ambas- Brotherhood. cause of the crackdown on dissent infrastructure and industrial pro- outside parliament, analysts said. sador in Cairo. or for fear of landing in trouble. jects that are giving jobs to millions “It is not in the interest of the Parliament is scheduled to end Two days after Tantawi’s sug- Almost all secular opposition of people and is returning Egypt to parliament to punish an MP for in January which means revoking gestion, 95 members of parliament figures are either in jail or decided the outside world. expressing himself,” said Diaa Da- Tantawi’s membership — if it hap- submitted a request to refer Tan- to stay silent, lest they should be However, the lack of economic woud, a member of the 25-30 Coali- pens — would be no more than a tawi to a disciplinary committee. smeared by a Sisi-supportive me- reforms is an issue in a country that tion, an opposition coalition inside symbolic matter. They described him as an “instiga- dia. had dealt with repression for dec- parliament of which Tantawi is a “The opposition enjoys full free- tor” and called for punishing him. Sisi is popular among a large por- ades. member. “This is an issue that af- dom inside the parliament,” said “He smears state institutions,” tion of Egyptians, especially be- One of the reasons people such as fects the way Egypt is seen around MP Sami Ramadan, one of the poli- MP Ali Badr said November 5 dur- cause of social welfare programmes Tantawi are viewed as a nuisance the world.” ticians who signed a petition re- ing a stormy parliament session. he introduced benefiting hundreds is the general feeling that political It is unknown what punishment ferring Tantawi to the disciplinary “What he does serves the interests of thousands of people. He is cred- freedoms are not a pressing issue parliament might order for Tan- committee. “Nonetheless, law- of doubtful organisations outside ited with rescuing the economy, while Egypt strives to fix its econo- tawi. Parliament has revoked the makers are not supposed to speak Egypt.” even at the cost of the poor and my, fights terrorism and faces exis- membership of several politicians outside the legislature and serve Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel the middle class, is fighting ter- tential threats, including an Ethio- in past years, including a nephew the interests of political forces that A’al, speaking during the same par- rorism and is bringing security pian dam on the Nile that threatens of former President Anwar Sadat want to harm our country.” Cairo talks underscore Egypt’s complicated relationship with Hamas

Ahmed Fouad Haniyeh from travelling outside Gaza ties were expected to allow Haniyeh and Egypt for three years to stop him to enter Egypt and later prevent him from meeting with Egypt’s political from going to Ankara or Doha, as hap- Cairo opponents in Turkey and Qatar. pened several times in the past three Haniyeh’s most recent trip outside years, Abou Marzouk said. fter the recent tensions be- of Gaza or Egypt was in early 2017, Mohamed Bahaa al-Din, a political tween Islamic Jihad and before he headed the organisation’s science professor at Suez University, Israeli forces on the Gazan political bureau. said Egypt is more welcoming of Ha- A border, leading to the assas- Hamas, especially the political bu- mas’s local leaders, such as Sinwar or sination of Islamic Jihad commander reau, has close ties with Qatar, Turkey Hayaa, than members of its political Bahaa Abu al-Atta in an Israeli air and Iran, which Egypt alleges are in- bureau. While “Hayya is a member strike, Hamas seems to be the closest tervening in Egyptian issues. of the political bureau, I believe he is High tensions in the air. A member of Palestinian security forces to Egyptian authorities concerning met in Cairo as a local leader, the vice- loyal to Hamas stands guard at the border area with Egypt in the president of Hamas in Gaza,” he said. southern Gaza Strip. (Reuters) truce in Gaza. Egypt’s blocking However, the relationship between Bahaa al-Din said Hamas’s presi- Egypt and Hamas, complicated by the Haniyeh’s visit was dency of Gaza is distinct from its gen- not met with or called Hamas lead- upset that Haniyeh refused an offer movement’s long-standing relations partly to stop him from eral political bureau. The former is ers and delegations, whose meetings from Egypt’s intelligence service to with Egypt’s regional rivals, became continuing his travels to seen by Egypt as an extension of the in Cairo are limited to the Egyptian mediate with Israel about the Gaza more complicated after Cairo blocked Doha and Ankara and resistance movement to Israel aimed intelligence services, which may re- siege without first consulting Ha- Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh from points to deep fractures at liberating Gaza that emerged before flect that Egypt refused to recognise mas’s local presidency. joining a delegation in the country. within Hamas itself. 2005 when it had Egyptian support. Hamas as a political party and most Because of Egyptian diplomacy Egyptian border authorities pre- “After liberating Gaza, the move- likely does not lend credence to its the offer, which was rejected by Ha- vented Haniyeh on November 6 from The Hamas political bureau and ment has been trying to transform political bureau. mas, would have granted Gaza more joining a Hamas delegation that was Qatar were among the few Arab rep- into a political party under the lead- Meetings with Hamas delegations regular opening of Rafah crossing to meet with Egyptian intelligence of- resentatives not to condemn Turkey’s ership of the political bureau, close and leaders are handled by Egyptian and releasing dozens of Palestinians ficials. recent military incursion into north- to Qatar, Turkey and Muslim Broth- intelligence, not government or For- imprisoned in Israel in return for Led by Khalil al-Hayya, vice-presi- ern Syria. Hamas issued a statement erhood, especially after the death of eign Ministry representatives. halting “Great Marches of Return” dent of Hamas’s Gaza bureau, the Ha- saying it understands Turkey’s reason historic resistance leaders like Ahmed Muhammed Mukhtar, a researcher protests of Gazans organised by Ha- mas delegation talked with Egyptian for conducting the mission and need Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi,” Ba- who specialises in Islamist move- mas against the siege on Israeli bor- intelligence representatives, mediat- to protect its territory from Kurds on haa al-Din said. ments such as Hamas, said Egypt also ders, returning the bodies of Israeli ing on behalf of the Palestinian Fatah its borders. “Since the transformation, rela- distances itself from Hamas’s political soldiers in Hamas custody and pro- movement, regarding potential peace However, Hamas leaders in Gaza, tions between Egypt and Hamas have bureau because “Haniyeh is opinion- viding information about Israeli ci- talks with Israel. including Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s been marked by tensions because ated concerning his decisions leading vilians detained there. Egypt’s blocking Haniyeh’s visit president in Gaza, and his deputy Egypt has never recognised an armed to tensions with the Egyptian side, as Egypt is unlikely to welcome fur- was partly to stop him from continu- Khalil al-Hayya are not as close with movement as a political party,” he well as local presidency of Hamas in ther divisions within Hamas, howev- ing his travels to Doha and Ankara Doha and Ankara, this is supported added. Gaza, to an extent that many observ- er, that could lead to a new armed fac- and points to deep fractures within by the fact that media rarely reported Contrary to the situations in Qa- ers are warning from a split among tion that would complicate strained Hamas itself, analysts said. connections or visits between them tar and Turkey, where Hamas lead- Hamas leaders.” reconciliation negotiations with Fa- Mousa Abu Marzook, a member of and Qatari or Turkish officials. ers and representatives meet with There have been reports that the tah and peace negotiations with Israel Hamas’s political bureau, previously However, it seems the crisis isn’t foreign ministers and even Turkish two wings of Hamas have been at that are backed by Cairo. told Al-Hayat newspaper that Egyp- limited to visits to Turkey or Qatar. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, odds. In April 2018, Israel Hayom tian authorities had been forbidding If that is the case, Egyptian authori- Egyptian governmental officials have newspaper reported that Sinwar was Ahmed Fouad is an Egyptian writer. November 17, 2019 13 News & Analysis Syria In north-eastern Syria, Kurds’ future hangs in limbo

Sami Moubayed from the Turkish onslaught. Gone were their dreams of autonomy and their 5-year tenure as rulers of Beirut north-eastern Syria. Among other things, they relin- uch has changed in quished control of Manbij and Raqqa north-eastern Syria since to the Syrian Army and OK’d rede- Turkish troops rum- ployment of Syrian forces along the M bled across the border border area, bolstered with Russian October 9, promising to dismantle military police. However, after it be- Kurdish strongholds after US Presi- came clear that the Americans were dent Donald Trump said he would not leaving completely, they have be withdrawing 1,000 troops from been trying to seek better terms in Syria. their agreement with Damascus. For starters, Trump — yet again — “The deal between the SDF and said he decided not to withdraw but Assad is a military one, not politi- only to downsize the presence and cal and there remain huge differ- geographic scope of US forces, os- ences between the two sides” added tensibly to prevent an Islamic State Winter, who has been studying the (ISIS) comeback to Syrian oilfields. Kurds for years. “The Trump administration says It was originally agreed that their this is about providing the Syrian two main militias — the SDF and Democratic Forces (SDF) with mon- People’s Protection Units (YPG) ey to battle the Islamic State,” said — would disband and join the Syr- Deutsche Welle journalist Chase ian Army, police and intelligence Winter, “but, really, it’s more about services. They are now suggesting the United States maintaining some they revamp rather than dissolve leverage vis-a-vis other players on completely, creating two Kurdish the ground. It also gives the Syrian divisions that are part of the Syrian Kurds leverage in their political talks Army, while maintaining their origi- with Damascus.” nal structure and identity. This is the first sticking point that is being flatly rejected by Damascus, Gone are the dreams of autonomy. Kurdish demonstrators hurl rocks at a Turkish military vehicle The Syrians promised to given that there are no units in the usher the Kurds back into during a joint Turkish-Russian patrol near the town of Al-Muabbadah in the north-eastern part of Syrian armed forces for specific eth- Hasakah on the Syrian border with Turkey, November 8. (AFP) public life and to uphold nic groups or minorities. their rights at the Additionally, they were supposed constitutional talks that are to surrender their weapons to the Damascus countryside. tory’s natural resources. Neither language or schooling. under way in Geneva. Syrian state or to the Russians but The verbal part of the agreement the SDF nor the YPG has a seat on With those issues hanging, the they are trying to keep those arms, has the Kurds willingly reincorporat- the Constitutional Committee and, materialisation of the Syrian-Kurd- Once in control of all areas east of arguing they are needed to police ing into Syrian public life, allowing overall, Kurdish representation is ish deal will probably take much the Euphrates River, the Americans the area and control the 11,000 ISIS the Syrian state to reopen schools, very weak, with only one seat on the longer than what most people pre- are now present only in and around prisoners in Kurdish jails. police stations and hospitals while drafting committee. dicted. It is also vulnerable to nu- the oilfields, which means in the vi- High on their priority list is al-Hol raising the flag of the Syrian govern- Syrian law, however, states that merous outside variables, starting cinity of Deir ez-Zor, Qamishli, Ha- camp, with its 70,000 residents, ment. They say they are willing to no political party can be established with progress on the Constitutional sakah and al-Malkiyah. 11,000 of whom are believed to be do that but want the Kurdish flag to along ethnic or religious grounds, Committee to renewed violence in The rest of the territory is shared either ISIS affiliates, sympathisers or fly alongside the Syrian one. meaning that all Kurdish parties the north-western province of Idlib. with the Russians, who have de- family members. The Syrians promised to usher need to dissolve and cannot join the It is always possible that Trump ployed along the border, and the The Russians wanted the Kurds the Kurds back into public life and political process to voice demands. walks out on the Kurds — for a third Turks, who were given a safe zone to join the Syrian Army and deploy to uphold their rights at the consti- Amending that law is currently time — leaving them to sort out 32km in depth and approximately throughout the country, just like tutional talks that are under way in not on the table — yet another hur- their own mess with Damascus and 150km wide, between Ras al-Ayn other Syrian soldiers. The Kurds Geneva. dle for positive engagement be- Ankara, a move that undoubtedly and Tal Abyad. are saying they will serve only That would include their right to tween Damascus and the Kurds. would also speed up the process. Trapped between all three armies within their geographic area, refus- use the Kurdish language, adminis- Deprived of Kurdish political par- are the Kurds, who signed an agree- ing to be commissioned to faraway ter Kurdish schools, elect their own ties, they cannot advance their Sami Moubayed is a Syrian ment with the Syrian government places such as Daraa in southern municipalities, chose their own gov- programmes in any future elec- historian and author of “Under the on October 13 seeking protection Syria, Homs in central Syria or the ernor and get a share of their terri- tion nor can they campaign for Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015).

Viewpoint Confusion marks US role in north-eastern Syria

S President agreed to keep about 600 troops purpose of that task is to deny the same? If not, where and Donald Trump in north-eastern Syria, south of ISIS the revenues from that oil to whom will the oil be sold? Gregory continues to the area under Turkish control. infrastructure.” Presumably, it could be sent by Aftandilian muddy the This idea was apparently sold to However, Trump, during his lorries to Iraq. However, under waters on the Trump as a way of holding on to news conference with Erdogan international law, oil in Syrian policy of the the oil fields in the Deir ez-Zor November 13, said the sole pur- territory must be under the United States in region, which are in an area pose of the US troop presence in purview of the Syrian govern- Unorth-eastern Syria. controlled by the Kurdish-led north-eastern Syria was to pro- ment. So, how does Washington Trump pulled US troops out Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). tect the oil. He stated: “We’re square this circle? of border regions of north-east- The oil idea especially ap- keeping the oil. We have the oil. Second, what about the more ern Syria in October, immedi- pealed to Trump, who likes The oil is secure. We left troops than 100,000 Syrian Kurd- ately after a phone call with transactional foreign policy. behind only for the oil.” ish refugees who fled, mostly Turkish President Recep Tayyip He initially made comments This comment caused a to Iraq, during the Turkish Erdogan. This allowed Turkish to the effect that the revenues negative reaction. Not only did invasion in October? Does the troops and their Syrian allies from the fields would accrue to Trump appear to contradict the United States have a moral obli- to occupy the area, kill more the United States but Pentagon Pentagon, he also caused confu- gation to help them? It is certain than 100 Kurdish fighters and officials “clarified” his remarks sion among US allies in the anti- that Erdogan does not want civilians and cause the flight of to say the objective would be to ISIS fight who were gathering in them to return to their former more than 100,000 Kurds. Still, keep the oil fields out of ISIS’s Washington. Unnamed diplo- homes; instead, he is planning Trump said he was determined hands, with revenues from the mats said Trump’s comments to resettle many Syrian Arab to withdraw all 1,000 US troops fields used to support the SDF. sowed doubt that whatever refugees in Turkey in that area from the country. The policy was refined agreements were struck with to ensure that the Kurds cannot That policy elicited wide- further when Chairman of the the United States could be re- reconstitute their statelet there. spread criticism in the United Joint Chiefs of Staff US Army versed by his impulsivity. Finally, what about the SDF States, even among his congres- General Mark Milley stated on It is possible Trump made the and the prison camps that it sional Republican allies and US television November 10 that comments about protecting the controls that are full of ISIS evangelical Christian support- the 600 US troops would be oil as the sole US mission to as- fighters and their families? ers. used primarily to ensure “the suage Erdogan that the United Will part of the 600 US troops US Defence Department of- enduring defeat of ISIS.” States would no longer be the be deployed to these camps? ficials, civilians and military Milley stressed that “there are protector of the SDF, whose Will those troops continue to alike, who were not consulted still ISIS fighters in the region Kurdish fighters Erdogan claims support the SDF to root out ISIS about his decision, were es- and unless pressure is main- are terrorists. However, in doing cells? It is possible Trump pecially angry since it meant tained… there’s a very real pos- so, he upended the Pentagon’s Unfortunately, none of these made the comments abandoning the United States’ sibility that conditions could be claim that it will continue to questions have been answered, Syrian Kurdish allies who had set” for ISIS’s re-emergence. work with the SDF against ISIS. which is indicative of Trump’s about protecting the taken the brunt of the casual- That protecting the oil fields Undoubtedly, there will again confusing and erratic Syria oil as the sole US ties in the anti-Islamic State would be a secondary objective be pushback from the Defence policy. mission to assuage (ISIS) campaign and because of was underscored by US Navy Department to Trump’s state- the concern that without a US Rear-Admiral William Byrne, ments. Gregory Aftandilian is a Erdogan that the military presence in the area, vice-director of the Joint Staff, The new US policy leaves lecturer in the Pardee School United States would ISIS could rebound. who said: “The mission is the many unanswered questions. of Global Studies at Boston Hence, there was consider- defeat of ISIS. The securing of The SDF has sold oil to the University and a former US no longer be the able pushback from the Pen- the oil fields is a subordinate Syrian government, so does State Department Middle East protector of the SDF. tagon, so much so that Trump task to that mission and the that mean US officials will do analyst. 14 November 17, 2019 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Israel hopes to dictate rules of engagement with Gaza offensive

Yousef Alhelou either stand idle while Islamic Jihad members are attacked or risk retalia- tion from Israel. London An Egyptian-mediated truce went into effect November 14. It was not srael’s assassination of Islamic clear whether Israel agreed to abide Jihad commander Bahaa Abu Al- by Islamic Jihad’s demands or if the Atta in Gaza has led to fierce re- ceasefire would be implemented. I taliation. Political analyst Adnan Abu Amer The pre-dawn aerial attack No- said neither side wants a war but it’s vember 12 on Abu Al-Atta’s house clear a unified response is being led killed him and his wife and damaged in the Joint Operations Room organ- surrounding houses. The operation ised by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. coincided with an attack on the Da- “The response of the resistance mascus residence of another Islamic groups shows the unified efforts Jihad commander, Akram Al-Ajouri, to counter Israeli attacks. Israel which killed his son. thought killing Abu Al-Atta would Islamic Jihad vowed to avenge Abu not provoke fierce reprisal from Pal- Al-Atta’s death and fired retaliatory estinians,” Abu Amer said. “The Joint rockets into Israel. “These terrorist Operations Room, which includes crimes are an aggression and a dec- Hamas and Islamic Jihad, is in charge laration of war on the Palestinian of the retaliation and it adopts a new people and the enemy bears the full strategy of gradual responses de- responsibility,” Islamic Jihad said in a pending on the developments on the statement. Hamas held Israel respon- ground.” sible. Israeli warplanes carried out more than 100 air strikes, killing at least 34 Palestinians. Residential houses An Egyptian-mediated truce and civilian targets were also hit. went into effect November Palestinian groups have fired more 14. It was not clear whether than 200 rockets into Israel, Israeli Israel agreed to abide by sources said. Indiscriminate attacks. Palestinians sit next to a crater left by an Israeli missile that destroyed a (DPA) Islamic Jihad’s demands or UN Special Coordinator for the house and killed eight members of the Abu Malhous family in Deir al-Balah, November 14. if the ceasefire would be Middle East Peace Process Nick- implemented. olay Mladenov urged calm, saying the United Nations was trying to tests around Gaza’s security fence ence professor at Al-Azhar University sitive time for Netanyahu, who heads Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin de-escalate the conflict. “I am very and the lifting of a 12-year Israeli in Gaza, said no regional or interna- a caretaker government and is strug- Netanyahu approved the targeted concerned about the ongoing and siege on Gaza, as per the Cairo agree- tional response is guaranteed to stop gling to keep his long political career killing of Abu Al-Atta, who was listed serious escalation between Palestin- ment. Israel from carrying out “rogue as- alive. His chief rival, Blue and White as Israel’s third-most wanted man ian Islamic Jihad and Israel,” he said. Netanyahu demanded that the is- sassinations.” alliance leader Benny Gantz, is trying and was accused of being behind “We also condemn the indiscrimi- sue of Israeli soldiers held in Hamas’ “The response of the Palestinian to form a government. rocket fire from Gaza. “Whoever nate use of rockets and mortars into captivity should be on the table for resistance groups through the firing Israel’s general election in Sep- thinks that it is possible to hurt our Israeli towns bordering Gaza.” Islamic Jihad’s conditions to be met, of its retaliatory rockets, which para- tember ended in deadlock and a new citizens and evade our long arm is Mladenov said an Egyptian intel- which again thrusts Hamas into the lysed many areas across Israel, is the government has yet to be formed. mistaken,” Netanyahu said. ligence team was attempting to me- equation. only deterrence that will end Israel’s It was Israel’s second election since Israeli Defence Minister Naftali diate and convince both sides to re- Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since policy and attacks,” said Abuseda. April when polls also ended incon- Bennett, appointed by Netanyahu spect the undeclared ceasefire. 2006, has tried to maintain a long- “Netanyahu is under extreme clusively. after the killing of Al-Atta, threat- Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Na- term truce since Israel’s 2014 war on pressure from his opponents for fail- It remains to be seen if Netan- ened to target other Islamic Jihad khalah said during a televised inter- Gaza. Israel has often held Hamas ing to stop the rocket fire from Gaza.” yahu’s goals will be achieved but commanders. Other Israeli officials view that Israeli threats to target him responsible for escalating military Islamic Jihad is the second-most Islamic Jihad seems intent on stop- warned Hamas not to retaliate. Ben- personally if the group retaliates do conflict but this time targeted only powerful armed group in the Gaza ping him from changing the rules of nett and Israeli Energy Minister Yu- not scare him. Islamic Jihad facilities and fighters. Strip after Hamas. Netanyahu often engagement and using the conflict to val Steinitz said if Hamas joined Is- He spelled out conditions for a Nevertheless, Israeli officials re- warns about Iran’s role in supporting bolster his “strongman” image. lamic Jihad, then its leaders would ceasefire: an end to Israel’s targeted cently threatened Gaza, with the and arming Hezbollah in Lebanon be attacked, too. killing of “Palestinian resistance stated goal of ending the rocket fire. and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian The ultimatum forces Hamas to fighters,” an end to attacks on pro- Mkahimer Abuseda, a political sci- Abu Al-Atta’s killing came at a sen- journalist living in London. Viewpoint Past shame cannot change the labelling of Israeli settlements products

fter Israel’s Foreign So, what’s with the outrage? It’s to the Holocaust. The European said the labelling decision was a way Ministry hit back at the not about business per se. The Eu- court in Luxembourg, he said, had for EU members to cease participat- Rashmee ruling by the European ropean Commission acknowledges approved “putting a new kind of yel- ing “in the fiction that illegal settle- Roshan Lall Union’s top court that that imports from the Palestinian low star on Jewish-made products.” ments are part of Israel.” EU countries must territories to the European Union Is a label specifying that food The facts speak for themselves. identify products made are very low — about $17.6 million was made in one of Israel’s approxi- It’s been 15 years since the Interna- inA Israeli settlements, I looked at the in 2017. Any product-labelling that mately 130 government-approved tional Court of Justice (ICJ) con- food-labelling guidance provided by puts off European consumers will settlements and 100 unofficial ones cluded that the West Bank and Gaza Israel’s Ministry of Health. have a barely noticeable effect on an insidious, 21st-century kind of Strip were “occupied” territories, It says that “in Israel, as in most Israel’s economy, which seems to be yellow star? meaning that the Fourth Geneva Western countries, marking food unaffected by the country’s current At the risk of being fatuous, there Convention for “the protection of products is anchored and regu- political paralysis. are at least two opinions on the civilian persons in time of war” is lated by legislation” and it asks for After a golden decade of growth matter. One is that of Israel, as well applicable. That position was over- “details of the manufacturer, the im- that hovered at more than 3%, low as the United States. The other is the whelmingly reaffirmed two years porter, the marketing company and unemployment, high incomes, Palestinian view, as well as that of ago in a vote by the UN General the packing company.” It explains a largely tamed deficit and near- some human rights organisations. Assembly. this is so that “when purchasing record investment in start-ups, The US State Department said the Israel claims the ICJ is biased food, we can know who is behind Israel won’t feel the pinch if some European court ruling was sugges- against it and now it says the same the product according to the details European consumers reject products tive of an “anti-Israel bias.” That for the European Court of Justice. listed on the label.” made in Israeli settlements. That’s sort of opinion transcends American The basic argument harks back to Quite so. assuming the new European advi- political divides. Ahead of the rul- a darker time and it’s what Israeli It’s why the European bloc has sory regulation is enforced. ing, several US politicians, includ- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanya- product specific origin labelling Rather than money, the angst is ing US Senator Robert Menendez, hu used in 2015 to attack a resolu- rules for honey, fresh fruit and veg- about control of the narrative. This a New Jersey Democrat, wrote to tion by the European Parliament for etables, fish, unprocessed beef and is why Israeli Foreign Minister Israel the European court warning against the labelling of settlements goods. beef products, olive oil, wine, eggs, Katz said the European Court of a decision in support of product It recalled, he said, the hideous past imported poultry and spirit drinks. Justice ruling was morally bank- labelling. It could harm US-EU trade persecution of Jews, the “historical It’s why the European Commission, rupt. That’s why the Israeli Foreign ties, they suggested. Menendez memory of what happened when the European Union’s executive Ministry said the European decision predicted dark times, “serious and Europe labelled Jewish products.” It devalues the branch, states that “food law estab- was political in nature and strength- far-reaching implications and unin- It devalues the horrors of the horrors of the lishes the rights of consumers to ens those who “promote anti-Israel tended consequences.” Holocaust to liken that suffering to safe food and to accurate and honest boycotts and deny Israel’s right to However, Palestinian Authority a European judicial order requiring Holocaust to liken information… Labelling helps con- exist.” Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki and honest labelling of products from that suffering to a sumers to make an informed choice It’s the reason Ayelet Shaked, a Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Israeli settlements. There is a point while purchasing their foodstuffs.” former Israeli Justice minister, said Erekat welcomed the ruling. Erekat beyond which past shame is not an European judicial It’s why egg boxes in European the judicial decision had a “stench called on all EU countries to “imple- effective tool to shape the present. order requiring supermarkets have labels that say of antisemitism.” It’s why Eugene ment what is a legal and political honest labelling of “from caged hens,” “barn,” “free Kontorovich, director of interna- obligation.” Rashmee Roshan Lall is a columnist range” or whatever. The label gives tional law at Jerusalem think-tank Human Rights Watch, an inter- for The Arab Weekly. Her blog can products from Israeli customers the chance to decide the Kohelet Policy Forum, employed national NGO that monitors Israel’s be found at www.rashmee.com and settlements. based on their view of the world. an emotive, exaggerated reference activities in the occupied territories, she is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. November 17, 2019 15 News & Analysis Iran Iran faces unrest at home, risks new sanctions after nuclear breaches

The Arab Weekly staff sit back. The Russians and the Chinese are not going to trigger this, but us, as Europeans, will have to take a stance at London some point,” a European diplomat told Reuters news agency. ran’s declared violations of the 2015 “It is not if but when, unless Iran nuclear deal elicited angry reac- pulls back, but even then, they are tions in Europe and the Gulf region. gaining (nuclear) knowledge by spin- I Europe’s mounting hostility comes ning these centrifuges, so we have to at a time when US sanctions forced react.” Iran to impose fuel rationing triggering Enrichment is the pathway towards widespread protests. producing fuel for a nuclear weapon. The United Nations’ International Iran has refined material to a fissile Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) con- purity of 4.5%, considered suitable for firmed that Iran resumed enriching electricity generation but far below the uranium in its underground Fordow bomb-grade threshold of 90%. plant and was accelerating enrichment European and US displeasure was ex- with advanced centrifuges also banned acerbated by the detention of an IAEA by the nuclear agreement. inspector at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facil- The move, strongly denounced by ity in October, contrary to stipulations Washington, alarmed European pow- in the agreement that Iran must grant ers that had previously dismissed Teh- daily access to the site as requested. ran’s breaches, such as exceeding the EU diplomats said the Europeans cap on stockpiles of enriched uranium are unlikely to trigger the snap-back and on the fissile purity of enrichment, mechanism before January when Iran as insignificant and reversible. is expected to announce other steps Britain, France and Germany raised away from the deal. the possibility of restoring internation- “What we’re now seeing is the dis- al sanctions after a meeting of foreign mantling of the JCPOA,” said a Euro- ministers in Paris, saying they were pean diplomat, referring to the Joint ready “to consider all mechanisms… Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the including the dispute resolution mech- agreement is formally known. Mounting alarm. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz (2nd R) talks with Lithuanian Foreign anism.” “We haven’t decided on launching Minister Linas Linkevicius (L), Malta’s Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela (2nd L) and Croatian Foreign Europe’s threat to trigger a mecha- the mechanism because we need to be Minister Gordan Grlic Radman during a European Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting at the Europa nism that could reimpose UN sanctions sure of how it will help us in trying to building in Brussels, November 11. (AP) on Iran marked a significant break- defuse tensions. The question we’re down in diplomatic attempts to save asking is when, how and whether it at de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf demonstrations the night of Novem- that limited the supply of parts for the nuclear deal under which Iran cur- benefits us to do it?” region. The Saudi cabinet has con- ber 15 were “severe” in Sirjan in central plant maintenance. tailed uranium enrichment in return Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad demned what it called Iran’s “decep- Iran where “people attacked a fuel stor- The “maximum pressure” strat- for relief from economic sanctions, Javad Zarif said Iran had itself initiated tion” over its nuclear programme, after age warehouse in the city and tried to egy set by US President Donald Trump diplomats said. the complaint mechanism and was Tehran’s decision to restart atomic ac- set fire to it.” against Iran last year included severe Under the terms of the 2015 deal, ceasing to heed its commitments be- tivities at one of its key sites. Protests were reported in many sanctions on Iran’s oil industry, among any party can refer suspect agreement cause the Europeans failed to protect it The cabinet expressed its “denun- cities, including Mashhad, Birjand, many other sectors. Tehran’s decision breeches to a commission that includes from US sanctions. ciation of Iran’s continued deception Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Abadan, Khoram- came following months of specula- Iran, Russia, China, the three European The nuclear deal’s objective was to and delays in providing the required shahr, Mahshahr, Shiraz and Bandar tions about possible rationing after the powers and the European Union. extend time Iran would need to ac- information on its nuclear programme Abbas. United States in 2018 reimposed sanc- If the matter cannot be resolved at cumulate enough fissile material for a to the IAEA,” the official Saudi Press Iranian state television said the price tions that sent Iran’s economy into free the commission level, the UN Security nuclear weapon, a period referred to as Agency said. of a litre of regular petrol had been in- fall. Council would be notified, establish- “breakout time” to about a year from Iran accused other countries of hy- creased to 15,000 rials (12.7 US cents) The price hike risks stoking social ing a 30-day deadline for a resolution two or three months. pocrisy in criticising Tehran while fail- from 10,000 rials and the monthly unrest among Iranians who often pro- on continuing Iran’s sanctions relief. If “We’re now entering a phase where ing to fulfil their commitments of relief ration for each private car was 60 li- test higher prices and declining stand- no resolution is adopted, sanctions in Iran’s actions have a serious impact on from US sanctions, which are taking tres per month. Additional purchases ards of living. place under previous UN resolutions the breakout time,” another EU diplo- their toll on Iran’s economy. would cost 30,000 rials per litre. Iranian President Hassan Rohani would be reimposed — known as a mat told Reuters, adding that the win- Petrol rationing and price hikes, in- Despite its huge energy reserves, said recently that Iran is facing its “snapback.” dow to bring Iran and the United States troduced November 15, triggered dem- Iran has struggled to meet its domestic “most difficult” time in decades. “We don’t want to pull out of the to the negotiating table was very small. onstrations across Iran. The official fuel needs because of a lack of refining (deal) too soon but equally we cannot Iran’s move clashed with attempts Iranian news agency IRNA reported capacity and international sanctions (With news agencies.) Viewpoint Daughter of former Iranian president sounds alarm

here was a time when asked: “How long are we willing Faezeh Hashemi was to pay protection money to Russia mostly known for being because of lack of [diplomatic] rela- Ali Alfoneh the daughter of former tions with the United States?” President Ayatollah Ak- Rather than blame Russia for sys- bar Hashemi Rafsanjani tematically betraying Iran, she asked Tbut increasingly she is emerging as why Iran is not pursuing its national a national political figure in her own interests, why it is not establishing right. diplomatic relations with the United She is a political figure who said States and why it is creating obsta- she fears for the destiny of the cles in the path of relations with Arab regime her father helped create. A countries, the Europeans and others? regime, Hashemi said, that has been Iran’s ideological and politi- “in decline” since the era of populist cal bankruptcy is well known and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Hashemi’s fearless criticism will The question is whether Iran can resonate with large parts of the correct its course. Just as relevant is Iranian public but her argument has the question of whether the Iranian a fundamental weakness: The com- public accepts Hashemi’s recipe for A recipe for the future. Faezeh Hashemi speaks during an plicity of the Rafsanjani family in a brighter political future or blames interview in Tehran. (AP) creating the monstrous regime. How her for her father’s commanding role come she did not voice criticism in the regime. against injustice in the heyday of her Hashemi’s recent appearance in to a certain extent, participate but of the revolution: “Today, the society father? How come the Rafsanjanis Ardeshir Ahmadi’s online talk show republicanism is not just elections. has become less religious and abides first became critical of the Islamic “Goftegou” [“Dialogue”] nicely rep- It also [requires] freedom of speech, less by the hijab compared to 40 Republic as the regime gradually resents the essence of her political which is guaranteed in our constitu- years ago.” marginalised them? agenda. Dressed in the traditional tion,” she said. Continuing her cannonade against It is not entirely unlikely that the chador, blue jeans and canvas sneak- “But we limit the freedom of the regime, she said: “We have Iranian public buys Hashemi’s recipe ers, she fearlessly thundered against speech by calling it ‘propagation created phobia against religion. We for a brighter future, despite the sins the performance of Iran. against the regime,’ ‘disturbing the caused the people to turn away from of her father. The regime’s ability Asked her opinion of the Islamic public opinion,’ ‘dissemination of religion. We provoked anti-religious to listen to her counsel and perhaps Republic, the 56-year-old said: “I lies.’ In other words, the freedom to sentiments… This is all because of provide her with the opportunity Iran’s ideological and believe our regime is deprived of its criticise [the regime] is defined as a the compulsory hijab.” to run for public office and restore political bankruptcy substance.” Discussing the “Islamic” political crime.” Still worse for the regime, she some public trust in the regime is is well known and and “republican” elements in the Turning to the issue of compulsory asked: “The very name, Islamic less likely. She is ringing the alarm regime, she accused the rulers of hijab for women in Iran, Hashemi government, and the fact that we and the Islamic Republic is the entity Hashemi’s fearless ignoring Islam, except when it is to said: “I don’t believe in compulsory commit all our mistakes in the name for which the bell tolls. criticism will resonate legitimise their abuse of power. hijab. Compulsory hijab is just as of Islam, does it strengthen religios- The “republican” element is just wrong as Reza Shah’s ban against ity or does it harm religion?” Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at with large parts of the as problematic: “It is correct that the veil [in 1936].” She compared Turning to the regime’s claim of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Iranian public. we have elections and the people, present-day Iran with 1979, the year independence in world politics, she Washington. 16 November 17, 2019 Turkey Turkey starts deporting foreign ISIS fighters

Thomas Seibert sue. Europe should not shirk its re- sponsibility.” Turkey deported three ISIS sus- Istanbul pects — from the United States, Germany and Denmark — on No- n a move that could provoke vember 11. While the extraditions new tensions with Europe and to Germany and Denmark went the United States, Turkey start- smoothly, the deportation of a US I ed deporting foreign members citizen of Jordanian descent, identi- of the Islamic State even though fied in news reports as 39-year-old their countries of origin are reluc- Muhammad Darwis B., hit a snag. tant to take them back. B., arrested by Turkish forces in Turkey said 26 foreign Islamic Syria, was stuck on the land bor- State (ISIS) extremists, at least 15 of der between Turkey and Greece for whom were arrested in Syria with three days after the United States the rest detained in Turkey, would refused to have him back. Turkey be deported. Of the group, 25 are wanted deport him to Greece but from European countries and one is Greek border guards did not allow from the United States. him in. The Turkish Interior Minis- Turkey’s Western allies have wor- try said deportation procedures for ried that ISIS militants could escape B. had started November 14 after as a result of the latest Turkish of- the United States had accepted him. fensive in Syria. Turkey accused A family of seven was sent from Western countries, especially in Eu- Istanbul to Germany and a British rope, of being too slow to take back ISIS suspect was flown to London. citizens who travelled to the Mid- Two Irish nationals, two other Ger- dle East to fight on behalf of ISIS. mans and 11 French citizens would Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman be sent back from Syria, Ankara Soylu criticised efforts by European said. countries, such as Britain and the “Efforts to identify the nation- Netherlands, to strip ISIS members alities of foreign fighters captured of their citizenship to avoid repa- in Syria have been completed with triation of militants, many of whom their interrogations 90% finished are considered dangerous. and the relevant countries notified. As late as a week before the start The process of repatriating foreign Stuck on border. A man, allegedly a US citizen and an ISIS member, who was deported by Turkish of the deportations, European offi- fighters to their countries will con- officials and rejected by Greek police, stands in a no man’s land at the border between Turkey and cials said Turkey had not informed tinue with determination,” Turkey’s Greece near Pazarkule, November 11. (AFP) them that citizens of their countries Interior Ministry spokesman Ismail would be sent back. “There is no Catakli was cited as saying by the concrete information by the Turk- state-run Anadolu news agency. seen camps where relatives of fight- “No one should expect the United backlash and the risk of attacks on ish side,” German Foreign Minister Turkish President Recep Tayyip ers sought shelter. Ankara views the States or anyone else to solve this European soil. Heiko Maas said November 4. Erdogan said Turkey country held YPG as a terrorist group. problem for them,” Nathan Sales, “Our view is that it is not a feasi- Amanda Paul, senior policy ana- around 1,200 ISIS members from The Turkish offensive prompted US coordinator for counterterror- ble option… to ask other countries lyst at the European Policy Centre, 40 countries in Turkish prisons widespread concern over the fate ism, told a briefing at the US State in the region to import another a think-tank in Brussels, said the and nearly 300 foreign militants in of the prisoners. Turkey’s Western Department. country’s foreign fighters and pur- extraditions could lead to new ten- camps in northern Syria. allies and the SDF warning it could Washington wants fighters sent sue prosecution and incarceration sions between Turkey and Europe, Turkey began an offensive in hinder the fight against ISIS and back to their home countries and there,” Sales said. whose relations are troubled by north-eastern Syria against the aid its resurgence. Turkey rejected either prosecuted or rehabilitated His comments clearly were di- Turkish threats to send millions of Kurdish People’s Protection Units those concerns and vowed to com- there. While accepting the rela- rected at France, which opened Syrian refugees to the European Un- (YPG) militia on October 9, follow- bat ISIS with its allies. Ankara ac- tively few ISIS suspects from Turk- talks with Iraq about trying foreign ion and European criticism of Tur- ing US President Donald Trump’s cuses the YPG of freeing around 750 ish prisons and detention centres nationals. key’s growing authoritarianism. decision to move US troops out of ISIS members from prisons under in Syria, EU countries are much After the meeting French Foreign “There is potential for this to turn the way. the militia’s watch. more reluctant when it comes to the Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian re- into yet another crisis in EU-Turkey The YPG, the main element of the Cracks among the global coali- thousands of jihadis being guarded peated the French stance that fight- relations,” Paul said by e-mail. “To Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and tion against ISIS became apparent by the SDF. Europe does not want to ers “should be brought to justice avoid this it would be opportune at a key US ally against ISIS, has kept November 14 when foreign min- try its ISIS nationals at home, citing as close (as possible) to the crimes the very least for the EU and Turkey thousands of jihadists in jails across isters of the group convened in the difficulty in collecting evidence they committed” — code for not to have a serious dialogue on this is- north-eastern Syria and has over- Washington. as well as concerns about a public bringing them home. Viewpoint Back against the wall, Erdogan battles to win time

id Turkish Presi- the constitutional process aimed dent Recep Tayyip at securing a “non-military solu- Erdogan return from tion” in Syria. Yavuz Baydar Washington empty- This group consists of the handed or with his United States, the United King- hopes fulfilled? Has dom, Germany, Jordan, France Danything changed after his partly and Egypt. Turkey will not only tense meeting with US President continue to be pushed out of talks Donald Trump and US senators at on Syria’s reconstruction, it will the White House? face growing pressure to retreat Erdogan’s extremely brief visit — from Syrian soil. focused only on talks with his sole Russia, which shares the goal of protector in the US capital, Trump defeating ISIS and is expanding its — came with more losses than influence in coordination with the gains. There is reason to believe Syrian Army to regain full control Erdogan left Washington with the of the north, continues to play sense that he is squeezed between Erdogan like a fiddle. the United States and Russia more Omer Taspinar, of the Brookings than ever before. Institution in Washington, said: Some basic takeaways from the “[Russian President Vladimir] Pu- meeting are that Erdogan remains tin has, to what I hear, a number dogged by his purchase of the Rus- Little progress, if any. US President Donald Trump meets with of files that can put Erdogan in a sian S-400 missile-defence system Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his accompanying tight spot,” ranging from “corrup- and is losing influence in Syria. delegation at the White House, November 13. (DPA) tion cases” to details surrounding One of the core issues was how the alleged coup attempt in 2015. Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 Erdogan did not come out of his jeopardised the F-35 programme Relations Committee, told Erdog- Armenian genocide. That shows Washington meeting on top. In- in which Ankara is considerably an that he would effectively block the Congress will be the institution stead he left playing for time, hop- invested. Turkey from receiving any US continuing to hang the sword of ing he can somehow gain leverage Erdogan hoped to keep possible F-35 fighter jets, which it helped Damocles over Erdogan’s head. regarding US defence cooperation increased military cooperation develop in partnership with NATO, Second, the visit marks an end ahead of the NATO meeting in with the United States, including the New York Times reported. to Erdogan’s years-long ambitions early December. the purchase of Patriot missiles, The White House meeting for regime change in Syria. It is One thing Erdogan was lucky as a bargaining chip but was told was carefully choreographed by over. to have avoided, however, was that the US Congress would not be Trump. The US president stra- There were two clear indications discussion on human rights and One thing Erdogan swayed. tegically took a back seat while of this: First, in a related meeting rule of law in Turkey. The lack of was lucky to have In his partly stormy meeting sensitive issues were discussed, in Washington, James Jeffrey, US pushback to his tactics will likely avoided was with Republican senators — Lind- allowing his party’s influential special representative for Syria embolden him to continue his furi- sey Graham of South Carolina, senators to confront Erdogan, who engagement and special envoy ous crackdown on opposition and discussion on Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jim Risch of didn’t like what he was hearing. for the global coalition to defeat dissent at home. human rights and Idaho, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick That said, hours after the meet- the Islamic State (ISIS), said the Scott of Florida — this was made ing, Erdogan received a takeaway so-called Syria Small Group, which Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish rule of law in clear. carrot for his trip home when Gra- met with US Secretary of State journalist and regular columnist Turkey. Risch, chairman of the Foreign ham blocked a bill recognising the Mike Pompeo, would proceed with for The Arab Weekly. November 17, 2019 17 News & Analysis East West US experts unsure where Iraqi election would lead if Iranian influence endures

Emily Przyborowski fade away as Iraq’s ruling elite, en- couraged by Tehran, rallied around him. Washington “The White House has long been unsatisfied with Adel Abdul-Mahdi he Trump administration and is ready to transition to a new called for early elections government, so long as that govern- in Iraq amid protests in ment does not pull the plug on the T the country but the vote, US military presence in Iraq but, at if it took place, may not play out in this time, it is unclear if he actually Washington’s favour, US experts will,” said Ramzy Mardini, a scholar said. at the US Institute of Peace. Influential Iraqi Shia leader Aya- Experts see tensions between tollah Ali al-Sistani called November Washington and Tehran as playing 15 for a new election law that would out in Iraq. restore public confidence in the sys- “Since Iraq serves as a battle- tem and give voters the opportunity ground for the two countries’ re- to bring “new faces” to power. gional competition, each side has “Passing a law that does not give an incentive to blame the sources of such an opportunity to voters would Iraqi discontent on the other. Tehran be unacceptable and useless,” he can point the finger at the disruptive said in his weekly sermon. effects of American aggression and The statement came in response sanctions, whereas Washington can to massive — and violent — political point a finger at undue Iranian in- protests and upheaval across Iraq fluence over the Iraqi government. since October 1. Each side has an interest to manipu- The Trump administration urged late and steer Iraqi public opinion,” Iraq to call early elections and intro- said Mardini. duce electoral reform. Washington Analysts said Washington hoped has grown increasingly concerned the political upheaval in the Middle about the protests, which the Iraqi East can be used to buttress its cam- Human Rights Committee said have paign against Iran. led to the death of more than 320 “For the Trump administration, Deep concerns. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper (L) with his Iraqi counterpart Najah al-Shammari in people. which has designed much of its re- Baghdad, October 23. (AFP) gional policy around the objective of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani countering Iran, the protests seem called for a new Iraqi to complement its own maximum can conspiracy and it is becoming Abdul-Mahdi is forced out, wheth- the importance of the electoral re- election law. pressure campaign to shrink Iranian more costly for political elites to be er with a successor government in forms that Washington is pushing influence,” Jeffrey Martini and Ari- perceived as American partners,” place or not, there is nothing to sug- for, stating that they could curtail Activists have been met with a ane Tabatabai of the RAND Corpora- Mardini said. gest that the next government will Iranian influence in any elections. stringent crackdown by security tion wrote in the magazine Foreign It is unclear who could benefit be closer to the United States than The Iraqi government needs to forces, which fired live ammunition Policy. from future elections. “The Shia Iran.” work on “reforming the electoral into crowds. However, Mardini said, Iraqis street is mobilised, more so than With deep links to the Iraqi ruling process in such a way that would “The United States is seriously view both Tehran and Washington any other time in recent history, and class, Iran very well may be able to allow civic leaders to win seats, concerned by continued attacks as backing an illegitimate govern- higher voter participation and wide- sway the election in its favour. wide voter participation and prop- against protesters, civic activists ment. “US policymakers see Iran spread discontent with the political Sarhang Hamasaeed, director of er international monitoring across and the media, as well as restric- as behind the decision to employ establishment may serve as a new the Middle East programme at the the electoral process, among other tions on internet access, in Iraq,” violence against the protest move- catalyst in Shia political dynamics,” US Institute of Peace, said Iran “has things, would be necessary,” said said a statement released by the ment and they want to make sure said Mardini. the leverage points to influence the Hamasaeed. White House. Iran takes the blame for the unrest There is no indication that a electoral process through political, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul- but there is widespread belief with- more Washington-aligned succes- security and communal actors it is Emily Przyborowski is an Mahdi said he intended to step in the political establishment that sor would be voted in, analysts said. supporting in Iraq.” Arab Weekly correspondent in down but that change seemed to these protests are part of an Ameri- Martini and Tabatabai wrote: “If Hamasaeed said he recognised Washington. Viewpoint Vox reinvents history to claim ‘Reconquista’ of Spain

he far-right Spanish Vox Spain, the narrative of conservatives from 1936-39 against the atheists misrepresentation of history as a party received a big boost claims. It was the site of the first and communists, ironically with the tool in its idea of recovering identity in Spain’s fourth general victory by Christian Hispania against help of Muslim irregulars from the associated with early Christendom. Francis Ghilès election in as many years Spain’s then-Muslim rulers and the northern Rif region of Morocco. Modern nationalism has thrived on with its share of the vote start of the “Reconquista,” which The modern Reconquista, argues the notion of a people unchanged jumping from 10% to 15%. would end with the fall of Granada Sanjuan, became a fundamental through the centuries. TNarciso Michavila, the president of in 1492. “conceptual touchstone of the Spain must be guaranteed a glori- the GAD3 polling company that con- That victory of Covadonga in 722 national-catholic reading of the ous past extending into the mists of ducted a pre-election survey indicat- never took place. The date Muslim history of Spain.” Hence today’s time that guarantees the existence ing an increase in Vox support, said armies crossed the Strait of Gibraltar Reconquista is aimed at the Cata- of the nation for all eternity. Histo- the party had gained momentum was 711 and the hated Visigoth rule lans, first and foremost, and at the rian Jean-Paul Demoule asks: “Isn’t “largely due to the reaction in the quickly collapsed. The victory of Basques though the leader of Vox is it much more interesting when hu- rest of Spain towards pro-independ- Covadonga a decade later never took of Basque origin. mans choose it, rather than endure ence movement in Catalonia.” place but was a “historical fact” con- This internal reconquest does it?” So Vox rattles on. He also attributed it to the col- veniently invented by King Alfonso not preclude other characteristics Abascal would rather have Spain lapse in the vote for the pro-market the Great (848-910) a century-and-a- of Vox. Its advocates stoke fears of accept immigrants from Latin Amer- Ciudadanos, which dropped from half later. This reinvention of history Muslims imposing sharia in south- ica, since they share “our” language, almost 16% of the vote in last April’s does not worry Vox leaders unduly. ern Spain, turning the cathedral in culture and, he insists, worldview. election to 7% on November 10, They talk of the “reconquest” of Cordoba back into a mosque and The 4% of the population in Spain suggesting that many of that party’s Granada, a city that did not exist forcing women to cover up. Hatred that is Muslim could “become a voters were drawn to the far-right before Muslim rule, and “Reconquis- of Islam is part and parcel of the problem.” party’s tough line on Catalonia. Vox ta,” an expression that did not exist appeal of Vox, fear of immigrants With Vox, fear of the other is laced has not been shy in saying a state of in the Middle Ages. particularly in Andalusia. with a form of virulent anti-femi- emergency, which would involve the That term first appeared in the However, in the murky politics of nism not seen elsewhere in Europe suspension of basic rights, should be middle of the 19th century and covert finance of extreme right-wing and a clear homophobic agenda. Its imposed on the region. entered the dictionary of the Royal parties in Europe, it comes as no leaders call feminists “feminazis” “Europe is what it is, thanks to Spanish Academy in Madrid in 1936, surprise that 1 million euros were and want more people to have the Spain. Thanks to our contribution, the year Franco rose against the received by Vox after its founding right to carry guns. ever since the Middle Ages, of stop- republic. in December 2013 and the European The links with Trump-style ping the spread of Islam,” argued Spain is not a country whose very parliamentary elections in May 2014 populism are not just ideological as Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros, definition proceeds from its fight via the National Council of Resist- Vox, described by Bannon as “one of Vox’s vice-secretary of international against Islam, something serious ance of Iran, an exiled Iranian group the most important and interesting relations. “History matters and we historians such as Alejandro Garcia set up in the 1980s by the People’s parties in Europe,” has likened its shouldn’t be afraid of that.” Sanjuan describe as a serious mis- Mujahideen of Iran (MEK), docu- rise to that of the US Tea party and The links with The rallying chant of political reading of the reality of the Middle ments leaked to El Pais, Spain’s lead- Trump himself. The party also hates rallies in the Spain of late dictator Ages. Had there been a Reconquista, ing daily, indicated. globalisation. Trump-style Francisco Franco was “Viva Espana” the Visigoth kingdom would have That MEK is feted by such people The main target of Vox is the populism are not just and such cries are the hallmark of been restored. as Rudy Giuliani, John Bolton and Catalan independence movement ideological as Vox Vox rallies. Bearing in mind that the Visig- Steve Bannon should give food for but that could change. The Muslim Vox President Santiago Abascal oths were present in Spain for three thought. That MEK should have community in Spain could bear the has likened its rise to opened his campaign in the general centuries and the Muslims for eight, helped Saddam Hussein in his fight brunt of a more radicalised Vox. that of the US Tea election in April in the tiny town of one must look to the ideology of the against the Kurds further muddies Covadonga, at a lush valley in the Right to understand how the expres- the waters. Francis Ghilès is an associate party and Trump northern region of Asturias. Cova- sion “Reconquista” was instrumen- The nationalist hard right has fellow at the Barcelona Centre for himself. donga is referred to as the cradle of talised. Franco “reconquered” Spain used history or, more accurately, the International Affairs. 18 November 17, 2019 Economy

Briefs Algeria’s Sonatrach renews Edison contract

Algeria’s state-owned oil com- pany Sonatrach renewed a gas export contract with Italy’s Edison for eight years, a Sonatrach state- ment said. The statement did not say how much gas Algeria would deliver to Edison but said it would strength- en Sonatrach’s position in the Italian market. Sonatrach has this year renewed gas export contracts with Enel, Galp Energia, Eni, Botas and Naturgy for a total volume of 27.9 billion cubic metres per year. Economic lifeline. A general view of an Algerian oil installation on the outskirts of In Amenas. (AFP) Algeria enacts controversial oil (Reuters) law to draw foreign investors Dubai property giant bucks Lamine Ghanmi in the 1980s. That system helped former Sonatrach managers, also forged after the election of a presi- Algeria make some of its largest oil pushed back against the new law, dent and a legitimate parliament and downturn with and gas discoveries, including the arguing that changing legislation following a broad national debate.” profit bump Tunis discovery and development of the before elections would not reassure Energy experts said Algeria’s en- Berkine basin. foreign investors. ergy future lies in the development Dubai construction and hos- lgeria’s military-backed au- That law was scrapped in 2005, “The change of the law in 2005 of renewable energy, such as solar. pitality giant Emaar Properties thorities, desperate to in- however, before being tweaked in and 2006 was extremely negative for “This law is vague. It includes reported a rise in interim profit crease oil and gas exports, 2006 and 2013. The later changes Algeria’s partnership with foreign no quantified targets,” said former results, posting higher sales. A approved a hydrocarbon caused concerns about legal instabil- investors and since then nothing Sonatrach Vice-President Tewfik The company said it posted $362 law supported by “five American ity and pushed away foreign inves- worked for Algeria’s hydrocarbons,” Hasni. “No official has told the pub- million in net profit in the third firms” but opposed by Algerian en- tors, causing the country’s oil and said former Sonatrach CEO Abdelm- lic for example what the profitability quarter, up 20% from $302.4 mil- ergy experts and protesters. gas production to decline consider- adjid Attar. would be in the investment in the lion in the same period last year. Algeria’s People’s National Assem- ably. “If the next government modifies shale gas activity.” Over the first nine months of bly approved legislation November Oil and gas comprise Algeria’s eco- this new law it will be an extremely “Energy lobbies and business the year net profits rose 2.3% to 14 aimed at luring in foreign oil and nomic lifeline, helping provide for negative signal for our investment interests in the United States and $1.2 billion, from $1.18 billion in gas firms and bringing in new tech- an economy that depends largely on partners because foreign investors France relentlessly block Algeria the corresponding period of 2018. nology to boost foreign investment, imports. seek legislative stability.” from tapping into and developing Sales in the first three quarters of expand output in the country’s age- Algeria’s oil and gas exports to- Algerian energy expert Mourad its renewable energies. They seek to 2019 hit $3.4 billion, a surge of 25% ing oilfields and help discover new talled $24.6 billion in the first nine Preure said: “Algeria had been stable prevent Algeria from becoming an on the same period last year. oil and gas resources. months of this year, down from $29 for 20 years and then in the span of energy power by successfully devel- The law was passed three days billion in the same period of 2018 one year — 2005-06 — the legisla- oping and exploiting solar energy.” (Agence France-Presse) before Algeria’s official presidential despite the rising price of Algeria’s tion changed twice and then in 2013. Algerian experts said the coun- election campaign began. Algeria is Saharan Blend crude oil, official fig- Foreign firms are frightened by legal try’s oil and gas sector has been set to have presidential elections De- ures show. instability. back by leadership shifts within cember 12 and parliamentary polls Algerian Energy Minister Mo- “We see the effect of such insta- Sonatrach, which often reflects the shortly afterward. hamed Irkab defended the new law bility today as our oil output shrunk struggle between factions of the Al- The legislation stipulates that as necessary to “attract new invest- 18% since 2006.” gerian leadership. state-owned oil company Sonatrach ment and advanced technology to Economist Mustapha Mekideche Rachid Hachichi, a senior man- Libya’s NOC must hold a majority stake in all pro- help relaunch the development of said that Algeria needs to change its ager at Sonatrach, was appointed jects involving foreign players but the economy to create more wealth law but now is not the right time. Sonatrach CEO in April, replac- October revenues adjusts to accommodate foreign in- and satisfy the needs of the citizens “The true issue is that such law ing Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, rise 21% vestors to make Algeria a more com- and create jobs.” should be part of a national strategy who had close ties to former Alge- petitive destination. Irkab’s remarks drew criticism about the whole energy sector which rian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Libya’s state-run National Oil Among the changes is the inclu- from protesters demanding a com- comes after a national consensus Hachichi was replaced by Kamel Corporation said its October rev- sion of a production-sharing con- plete overhaul of Algeria’s ruling over Algeria’s energy transition,” Eddine Chikhi a few hours after the enues rose 21% to $2.2 billion from tract system that proved successful class. Algerian experts, including Mekideche said. “This can only be new law was approved. $1.8 billion in September. The National Oil Corporation’s revenues were from sales of crude oil, hydrocarbons, petroleum and Egypt to list army companies in stock exchange petrochemical derivatives, as well as taxes and royalties from concession contracts, it said in a Special Correspondent year later. Its activities span sectors nies, which it hopes will raise around loan in 2016. It is preparing to sign a statement. in the economy from food produc- $5 billion. new deal with the IMF but it has not The revenues included receipts tion to importing formula milk to The public offering should re- released details. for shipments made in September. Cairo air-conditioning systems. vive the national privatisation pro- Issuing shares of army-owned The army has expanded its eco- gramme, which halted in 2008 after companies to the public would rep- (Reuters) plan by the Egyptian Army nomic activities even more the past thousands of state-owned companies resent a political turnaround for Sisi’s to issue public shares for af- two years, entering markets that had went into private hands and analysts regime, which has been accused of filiated companies on the been the exclusive domain of the said the expected move would likely sponsoring the army’s burgeoning A Egyptian Exchange would private sector and the government. bolster the stock market. business empire. perk up Egypt’s investment climate, Those sectors include construction Apart from owning companies that raise a huge amount of capital and and management of fish farms, steel Despite the army’s produce all sorts of goods, the army increase investors’ confidence in the factories, greenhouses, cement fac- economic influence, most is also a basic partner in almost all Egypt’s inflation national economy, economists said. tories, marble factories and tourist of its activities are not of Egypt’s infrastructure projects. It However, the process, experts said, facilities. subject to parliamentary owns most of the shares in the com- lowest in nearly Despite the army’s economic in- pany building the new administrative would demand reforms that ensure oversight and the extent greater transparency. fluence, most of its activities are not capital between Cairo and Suez. The a decade “It will require a transition from the subject to parliamentary oversight of its reach is unclear. capital, the size of Singapore, will lack of transparency to full transpar- and the extent of its reach is unclear. “It will reflect positively on the cost $45 billion to construct. Egypt’s inflation rate dropped ency,” said economist Doha Abdel- In March 2018, Sisi said the army’s performance of the stock exchange, Members of the public and the to the lowest level in nearly a hamid. “This transition necessitates share of Egypt’s GDP was 2-3%, about especially if the public offering is business community will likely race decade last month, official figures a reform of mindsets and policies, $26 billion. done in a correct manner,” said to buy stock in army companies be- showed, as cheaper food offered which will be a challenging matter for Sisi turned everything around Oc- Nadia Helmy, a professor of eco- cause of public confidence in the mil- respite to consumers squeezed by the army.” tober 31 when he called for including nomics at Beni Suef University in itary establishment, economists said. International Monetary Fund- The army has been a central player some companies of the armed forces central Egypt. “It will contribute However, there could be significant backed reforms. in Egypt’s economy for decades. It in an initial public offering of state- to increasing stock exchange deal- obstacles, economists said. The army The annual inflation rate was began business activities to meet the owned companies. ings and attracting new investors to would have to be clear on revenues, 2.4% in October, compared with needs of troops, including providing “The process must include some the market.” losses, transactions and investments 17.5% a year earlier, the Central food and other basics but that ex- of the companies of the army,” Sisi Economists drew links between of its companies and “abide by stock Agency for Public Mobilisation and panded into selling surplus material said at the inauguration of an army the move and conditions by the In- exchange rules,” said Bassant Fahmi, Statistics said. in the local market, making it a major factory producing medical gases in ternational Monetary Fund (IMF) for a member of the Economic Affairs The state body said the decrease competitor to private industries. Giza province. “This should allow the the army to reduce involvement in Committee in the Egyptian parlia- was because of a drop in the cost The army’s business activities con- public and the private sector to own economic activities and allow the pri- ment. of household items, such as food siderably grew after the 2013 army- shares in these companies.” vate sector to lead economic growth “The companies that will be listed and drink. backed uprising against Islamist Pres- The government plans to issue and job creation. on the stock exchange have to abide ident Muhammad Morsi and Abdel shares to the public and private sec- Egypt recently completed numer- by governance rules and have their (Agence France-Presse) Fattah al-Sisi’s becoming president a tor for some 23 state-owned compa- ous reforms tied to a $12 billion IMF own boards.” November 17, 2019 19 Economy Turkish management of Tunisia’s Enfidha Airport stirs controversy

Riadh Bouazza serving the rights of the Tunisian state in order to avoid any dispute with in- vestors leading to international arbi- Tunis tration.” It called on all parties to “avoid the tatements by Noureddine Ta- dissemination of false information.” boubi, secretary-general of Tu- The ministry did not discuss the de- nisia’s largest trade union, that tails raised by Taboubi. S Tunisian authorities struck a In 2007, the Turkish TAV Holding “suspicious” deal with the Turkish Group won the tender for the con- operator of Enfidha-Hammamet In- struction of the airport. Under Tuni- ternational Airport, sparked contro- sian President Zine el-Abidine Ben versy with the agreement seen as be- Ali’s rule, the group was granted the ing subservient to Ankara. exclusive privilege of operating it for The economic rapprochement be- four decades. TAV created a subsidi- tween Tunis and Ankara faces op- ary in Tunis, TAV Tunis, to manage position from a wide range of Tuni- the airport. sian economic and secularist circles Following the toppling of the Ben because of what they see as the bur- Ali regime, major changes in the densome legacy left by Tunisia’s Is- power structure in Tunisia occurred lamist-dominated government when and successive governments, driven it allowed Turkish partnerships after by the Islamist Ennahda Movement, 2011. leaned on officials to favour Turk- ish partners through deals that had Noureddine Taboubi, negative repercussions on the local secretary-general of Tunisia’s economy. largest trade union Analysts said Tunisia is risking a lot in the venture, especially because “It was as if we gave many blame the governments during Enfidha Airport away to (AFP) the past nine years, of which Ennahda Suspicions of favouritism. Tourists arrive at the Enfidha International airport. the Turks for free.” was a member, for the country’s eco- nomic slowdown. profit and the Tunisian state, in turn, ropean Union to open its airspace to Ankara is an additional reason behind Activists on social networks have Economist Moez Joudi said the par- makes a profit through the establish- low-cost airlines to benefit the Enfid- Tunisians’ unwillingness to deal with been circulating a video clip showing ties in this affair should be held ac- ment of a project that was not funded ha International Airport. Turkey. Taboubi, Secretary-General of the Tu- countable. He raised questions about by Turkey after 2011 and in which it Economist Mongi Mkaddem said Official data indicate trade between nisian General Labour Union, during the issue if the government does not did not hope to make a profit and it is there is collusion from the Ministry Tunisia and Turkey stands at about an interview with Tunisian French- clarify the legal framework for the air- clear that one of the parties did not re- of Transport to conclude an agree- $1.25 billion. Ankara is seeking to in- language newspaper La Presse in port deal with Turkey. spect the agreement,” Joudi said. ment that satisfies Turkey, especially crease it to $2 billion. The invasion of which he said that “an agreement was “It is necessary to conduct an audit He pointed out that exclusive privi- that the airport’s revenues have fall- Tunisian markets by Turkish goods made giving the Turkish side a reduc- on any party that breached its obliga- leges given to TAV undermined the en about 65% compared to previous began with the partnership and free tion of about 65% in the concession to tions because the agreement is es- credibility of Tunisia and that there years. trade agreement concluded between exploit Enfidha-Hammamet Interna- sentially a mechanism of interaction were favouritism and ambiguity re- He said TAV’s losses with Enfidha- the two countries in 2004. tional Airport by scheduling its debts.” between a country and foreign com- garding the deal. Hammamet Airport are caused by Tunisians have become weary of “With this agreement, which unfor- panies to build and exploit a particular TAV in June made commitments competition from nearby Monastir the efficacy of their economic rela- tunately was buried in total secrecy, facility,” Joudi said. to the Tunisian government to rein- International Airport so the Turk- tions with Turkey, especially when it it was as if we gave Enfidha Airport He said Taboubi’s statement sug- vest in Enfidha Airport after the Tu- ish company is trying to pressure the became obvious that Ankara’s con- away to the Turks for free,” added Ta- gests suspicion within the trade union nisian Transport Ministry threatened Tunisian government to get a larger tributions to support Tunisia in the boubi in a statement to the newspa- about the legitimacy of the deal be- to withdraw the concession. Sources share of the air traffic in Tunisia. investment conference in November per’s website. cause of the ideological and political said the decision was reached after Mkaddem explained that Tunisia 2016 were below expectations. Turkey Taboubi said he called for an inves- rapprochement between Turkey and negotiations with Tunisian Minister proposed to share its business at both provided $100 million in deposits. tigation into the circumstances of the Ennahda. of Transport Hichem Ben Ahmed fol- airports to cut down on TAV’s losses Among the 3,555 foreign companies agreement and to hold accountable The agreement stipulates that TAV lowing disagreements over conditions but TAV was adamant on acquiring operating in Tunisia, 26 are Turkish, those who unilaterally took the deci- would continue to exploit Enfidha In- of use and maintenance of the airport full possession of the activities of the realising a turnover of $138 million, a sion without consultations with the ternational Airport to compensate for by TAV, which invested $500 million two airports. rather modest amount. The only ad- people’s deputies. losses and expenses incurred before in constructing the airport. It wasn’t just the presence of Turk- vantage of the companies to Tunisia In a statement November 12, the 2011 and then make profits before re- It seems TAV wants to take advan- ish companies in Tunisia that was par- lies in the creation of 2,500 job oppor- Ministry of Transport said negotiation turning the airport to Tunisian man- tage of exempting Tunis-Carthage tially behind the country’s problems tunities. with the Turkish operator was “built agement. International Airport from Tunisia’s in terms of investment but also Tu- on the fundamental principle of pre- “The Turkish company is making Open Skies agreement with the Eu- nisia’s deficit in trade exchanges with Riadh Bouazza is a Tunisian writer. Morocco mulls flexible currency exchange system

Mohamed al-Alawi strengthen and open the economy. odically so supply and demand de- It described the delay in liberalisa- termine the value of the dirham.” tion as futile. He pointed out that following Rabat Financial expert Abdullatif Ber- the first phase of reforms adopted rouhou said full liberalisation of last year, Morocco would keep the here is a growing debate in the dirham would place Morocco’s dirham pegged to the euro and the Morocco about the govern- economy in unprecedented con- US dollar by 60% and 40%, respec- ment’s slow implementa- frontation with economic and fi- tively. T tion of the dirham floating nancial fluctuations locally and internationally. programme and its delay in relying Analysts said many on a more flexible currency ex- The Moroccan central bank’s change system to avoid economic plans involve gradual steps over factors are causing shocks under unfavourable global several years to prepare the coun- Moroccan monetary conditions. try’s economy for full liberalisation authorities to delay This debate coincided with and the abandonment of interven- floating the dirham. growing International Monetary ing in fixing exchange rates. Fund (IMF) pressure on the Moroc- Berrouhou said Morocco is at the The IMF recommended budget- can government to liberalise ex- beginning of immunising the local ary discipline to progress in the re- change rates, a move the IMF sees economy and its foreign exchange form steps to ensure that SMEs are as necessary to promote economic reserves are sufficient to face sud- adapting to last year’s reforms. growth in Morocco. den fluctuations. Jouahri said salaries were the Analysts said many factors are The IMF pointed out that float- main reason for the budget defi- causing Moroccan authorities to ing the dirham would boost the de- cit but economist Arbi Habashi delay floating the dirham. velopment of small and medium- said the deficit is mainly because Abdel Latif Jouahri, gover- sized enterprises (SMEs), which of “tax concessions, tax evasion, nor of the Bank Al-Maghib, account for 90% of the businesses high unproductive expenses and a Morocco’s central bank, told in Morocco, and help create jobs growing informal sector.” the annual meeting of the and income for the poor and mid- Morocco is working to avert the World Bank and the Inter- dle class. economic turmoil experienced by national Monetary Fund in Last year, Rabat introduced a neighbouring countries as it strug- Washington that Morocco new phase of the gradual transi- gles to meet growing social de- has been working since tion from a fixed to a flexible -ex mands while facing a slow demand last year to expand dirham circu- change system by allowing the dir- for its products in its main markets lation by adopting a more flexible ham to fluctuate over a 5% range in Europe. exchange rate to reform the finan- Risk of fluctuations. A dealer counts Moroccan dirhams at a compared to 0.3% previously. The latest forecast put Morocco’s (Reuters) cial system. currency exchange in Casablanca. Jouahri said Morocco “plans to economic growth at 2.7% of GDP this The government’s actions are an move from managing its curren- year, lower than the forecasted 3%. attempt to boost competitiveness favourable global economic condi- dirham. cy to a monetary policy aimed at of the Moroccan economy and pro- tions prompted the central bank to The IMF wants to accelerate countering inflation, in which in- Mohamed al-Alawi is a Moroccan tect it from external shocks but un- abandon ​full liberalisation of the liberalisation of the dirham to terest rates would be adjusted peri- writer. 20 November 17, 2019 Spotlight Saudi Reform Drive Kingdom's reform drive irks hard-line conservatives

The change continues. A visitor takes pictures of posters of Hollywood movie stars during a screening at the King Abdullah Financial District Theatre in Riyadh. (AP)

Mohammed Alkhereiji Authorities are yet to reveal a ed a hard-line Salafist preacher and ter, he warned that “enemies of the ists, a promotional video posted by motive for the attack, whether it a tribal chief, both highly influen- homeland” might enter Saudi Ara- the kingdom’s Presidency of State was in protest of the war in Yemen tial in their communities, alleging bia under the guise of tourism. He Security, which has since been de- London or the suspect’s opposition to Saudi they were trying to undermine the called for the creation of a special leted, described feminism as an Arabia’s growing entertainment in- reform drive, especially as it per- “tourist police force and another extremist ideology, alongside athe- eforms set in motion in dustry and openness to the world. tains to entertainment and tour- for entertainment.” ism and homosexuality. Saudi Arabia the past few The King Abdullah Park Theatre ism. He also called on the health au- A report in Al Watan newspaper years seem to be moving is among venues involved in the thority to ensure foreign tourists stated that punishment for femi- at a pace too disconcert- 2-month-long “Riyadh Season,” entering the kingdom are “free of nism could include “flogging and R The first professional ing for some Saudis, specifically an arts and entertainment festival diseases and contagious viruses.” imprisonment.” among hard-line conservative that is part of the government’s women’s wrestling match in The first professional women’s In a statement, issued November segments. An incident in Riyadh push to open the kingdom to tour- Riyadh took place October wrestling match in Riyadh took 12, the Saudi Human Rights Com- sparked fears that palpable change ists and diversify its economy 31 and sparked mixed place October 31 and sparked mission insisted “feminism is not in the kingdom could result in vio- away from oil. reactions. mixed reactions. criminalised in Saudi Arabia and lence. In line with the kingdom’s Vision “Women’s wrestling in the land that the kingdom affords great im- Three foreign actors were at- 2030 reform plan, Riyadh estab- Video on social media showed of the holy sites and the Prophet portance to women’s rights.” The tacked by a spectator during a per- lished the General Authority for the Salafist preacher strongly criti- of God (Mohammad). Is this possi- statement stressed that women’s formance in November at the King Entertainment, which was tasked cising what he described as “allow- ble? How can you be so easily de- rights were a priority under Saudi Abdullah Park Theatre. A Yemeni with creating an entertainment ing fools to spread vice in Muslim praved?… O Muslims step in, speak Vision 2030. man residing in Saudi Arabia alleg- sector. In a few years, the kingdom societies and they are met with si- up and reject what is happening,” Saudi State Security, which is- edly stabbed the performers during hosted its own comic-con, allowed lence and inaction.” tweeted @Mrbrary, warning that, if sued the controversial clip, said the musical play and was appre- movie theatres to operate and Using hard-line Islamic terminol- Muslims do not reject such events, video producers “were unsuccess- hended. staged concerts by global acts such ogy, the imam urged Muslim soci- “the worst is yet to come.” ful in preparing the video, given the Al Ekhbariya television broad- as Mariah Carey, 50 Cent and K-pop eties to observe the tenet of “the The kingdom’s reform drive also many errors in defining extremism cast video of the attack, showing sensation BTS. promotion of virtue and preven- appears to be moving at a pace that and this shows that those who cre- a man jumping onto the stage and Despite indications that the tion of vice.” some government agencies are ated and shared it acted alone,” the lunging at the performers. The ac- changes enjoyed wide popular sup- The tribal chief was said to op- having trouble keeping up with. official Saudi Press Agency stated. tors suffered “superficial wounds,” port, some reforms did not sit well pose new regulations allowing Thomson Reuters reported that, the Saudi state-owned SPA news with hard-line conservatives. granting tourist visas to nationals at a time Riyadh was trying to pro- Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf agency reported. In October, Saudi security arrest- of 49 countries. Posting on Twit- mote tolerance and attract tour- section editor of The Arab Weekly. Saudi Arabia’s key economic and social reforms

audi Crown Prince Moham- prohibition on cinemas, plans to October 2019 reduce costs on state infrastructure ● New bankruptcy law regulates med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz open more than 300 movie theatres A new tourist visa regime seeks projects. procedures such as settlements and has pushed through social and by 2030. ·to attract holidaymakers. A modest 2017 liquidation. S economic reforms as part of June 2018 dress code is set for visitors, ending Government introduces the Citi- 2019 plans to modernise the kingdom and Saudi Arabia lifts a decades-old the requirement that women wear ·zen’s Account, a cash handout for The Capital Market Authority and attract foreign investment under a ·ban on women driving cars. How- all-covering robes. Foreign men and low- and middle-income Saudis to ·Debt Management Office reduce diversification drive. ever, authorities arrested several women are permitted to rent hotel offset austerity measures. fees and commissions to encourage The following are major reforms activists before and after the move rooms together without proving Saudi Arabia detains scores of secondary market debt trading. implemented since the crown amid a broader crackdown in which they are related. Alcohol remains ·senior princes, ministers and top Sin tax on electronic cigarettes prince’s Vision 2030 agenda was an- scores of critics were arrested. banned. businessmen at Riyadh’s Ritz- ·and sugary drinks are imposed to nounced in 2016: January 2019 Carlton hotel in an anti-corruption diversify revenue streams. A royal decree allows music to Economic Reforms campaign seen by critics as a power Saudi Arabia relaxes a 49% limit Social Reforms ·be played in restaurants as public play and shakedown of the crown ·for foreign strategic investors in entertainment flourishes around the 2016 prince’s rivals. Authorities say companies listed on the main Tad- April 2016 kingdom and the ban on gender- Stock market reforms double they seized more than $100 billion awul stock market. Saudi Arabia curbs the powers of mixing eases. ·ownership limits to 10% for foreign through financial settlements. The capital market law is amended ·religious police who had patrolled August 2019 institutional investors. 2018 ·to allow the establishment of other public spaces to impose strict rules Regulatory changes allow adult New labour regulations restrict A 5% value added tax (VAT) is exchanges alongside Tadawul. on women’s dress and enforce bans ·Saudi women to travel without per- ·certain jobs to citizens and raise imposed· to improve non-oil revenue Saudi Arabia begins accepting on alcohol, music, prayer-time mission and exercise more control quotas for companies to hire Saudis. generation. licence· applications in the military closures and the mixing of men and over family matters, eroding a heav- Power and water subsidies are cut Foreign investors are granted industrial sector, a major target for women. ily criticised male ·under fiscal reforms. full· access to NOMU, a parallel diversifying the economy away December 2017 guardianship system but leaving The National Project Manage- market for small- and medium-sized from oil. ·The government ends a 35-year parts of it intact. ·ment Organisation is set up to enterprises. (Reuters) November 17, 2019 21 Media Video works inspired by Arab revolts premiere in London's Aga Khan Centre

Karen Dabrowska others live in a better world.” In “My Country Is Not a Suit- case,” visitors see various items be- London ing packed into a suitcase on four screens: books, fruit and vegetables, n her first solo British exhibi- gifts and clothes. Each bag sheds tion, “At the Corner of a Dream,” light on a different trauma. Egyptian activist Bahia She- “Every time I pack my bag, I have I hab voiced powerful messages to pack my food, my dreams and my on a variety of themes presented clothes, “Shehab said. “Every time through five short videos reflecting I pack my bag, I pack my heart be- on Arab revolts. cause it is my compass. Every time The videos showcased at Lon- I pack my bag, I pack away my tears don’s Aga Khan Centre are digital of the people I will miss.” artworks produced this year. They “Those Who Have No Land Have follow on the poetry murals inspired No Sea” was created at a swimming by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Dar- pool reminiscent of one in Kefalonia wish that Shehab painted in Cairo, where Greek Olympians trained. It New York, Beirut and Marrakech, as depicts a macabre, yet disturbingly well as the Greek island of Kefalo- realistic, scene of floating life jack- nia. ets accompanied by a single body. Shehab began to paint poetry by Shehab was struck by the parallels Darwish on the walls of various cit- between the trainee swimmers and ies in original forms of Arabic script refugees who drowned in the sea after the Egyptian uprising (2011). just beyond the sports centre wall. “She uses lines from his poetry to In “We Love Life,” Shehab reflects tell the world that ideas cannot be on Darwish’s stanza: “We love life killed and to show that humankind if we have access to it.” It depicts a is united in its struggle against op- wedding in four settings. In the first, pression and dictatorship,” the Aga the couple is seen in a tuk-tuk; then Khan Centre said in a statement. they are seated in their wedding Each location in the videos corre- chairs on the street in front of a local sponds to a site where Shehab cre- butcher’s shop; later they are seen (Charlene Rodrigues) ated a mural. in a destroyed house and, finally, A glimmer of hope. “We Love Life” by Bahia Shehab. they sit on thrones with the city of the dead in the background. 2011, Shehab began spray-paint- containing paraphernalia relating to Arabic saying, “No and thousand In "We Love Life," Shehab The video plays on the idea of ing the Arabic script for ‘no’ in the Shehab’s artistic practice. times no.” reflects on Darwish’s stanza: hope and the ability to dream visu- streets of Cairo, saying no to dicta- The exhibition was commissioned Her stencil drawings included a "We love life if we have alising something as joyous as a tors, no to military rule and no to by the Aga Khan University Institute representation of a bra, rendered in access to it." wedding to reflect a very morbid violence. for the Study of Muslim Civilisations blue paint, which was inspired by reality where even hope becomes “Imprisoned Butterflies” com- (AKU-ISMC). It is accompanied by a the public stripping of an unidenti- “I view my walls as meeting points impossible. pares women prisoners to butter- book highlighting Shehab’s poetry- fied woman on the streets of Cairo, and conversation starters,” Shehab In “Erasing Memory,” a hidden flies stuck in ancient display cases. based work published by Gingko in which her abaya was removed said in a statement. “By raising the hand-paints ‘no’ on a concrete wall: The cases overshadow the beauty Press in association with AKU-ISMC. by soldiers, revealing her undergar- curiosity of passers-by, they serve No to stupidity, blood, extremism, of the butterflies just as the prison Shehab’s work first came to global ments. as cultural bridges, prompting them killing, violence, hatred. The slo- overshadows the beauty of the attention during the Egyptian revo- “At the Corner of a Dream” will be to ask about the stories behind the gans are erased as soon as they ap- women who long to free themselves lution through her series “A Thou- at the Aga Khan Centre in London writing and encouraging them to pear suggesting that the hopes and from the confines of its walls. sand Times No.” These calligraf- through January 5 stop and ask how they can tackle in- dreams of the “Arab spring” were Before watching the video, visi- fiti stencil works, which Shehab justice in their own country or how erased never to be seen again. When tors see a site-specific calligraphy applied to walls across Cairo with Karen Dabrowska is an Arab they can work for equality and help revolution swept through Egypt in stencil wall work and two vitrines spray paint, were inspired by the Weekly contributor in London. Egypt dents Qatar's African-sports monopoly in ongoing media war

Ahmed Megahid owned or -funded broadcasters. by Cairo as one of Doha’s means of tennas that received the Qatari agreement between Lagardere and “The annulment of the agree- controlling sports broadcasting in network. CAF violated Egyptian competi- ment will deal a painful blow Arab and African countries. “Lagardere abused the market- tion rules. The authority asked Cairo to Qatari monopoly over sports Tens of millions of Egyptians ing and media rights it was given CAF to terminate the agreement. events in Africa,” said Azmi Mega- had signed up with Qatar’s other by the agreement,” said Amir Na- In 2018 and 2019, Egyptian eco- gypt scored a victory to- hed, a member of the board of the sports marketing and broadcast- bil, chairman of the Egyptian Com- nomic courts said former CAF wards breaking Qatar’s Egyptian Football Federation. “It ing arms, including beIN. During petition Authority, which regulates President Issa Hayatou and former monopoly in broadcasting will open the door for competi- the 2018 World Cup in Russia and commercial practices in the Egyp- CAF General Secretary Hicham E sporting events in Africa tion over the broadcast of African the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in tian market. “This abuse caused El Amrani, who signed the agree- when the Confederation of African championships.” Egypt, Egyptian television chan- harm to the Egyptian economy ment with Lagardere, were guilty Football revoked a $1 billion mar- The Qatar Investment Author- nels encouraged fans to scrap the and negatively affected Egyptians’ of anti-competitive and fraudulent keting agreement with Lagardere ity, which acts as Qatar’s national Qatari network for other channels. rights to watch African sports conduct. Sports. wealth fund, owns 13% of La- The network sustained huge championships.” The courts imposed a fine of Signed in 2016, the agreement gardere, which makes it the top in- losses because millions of viewers The Egyptian Competition Au- $31 million on each of them, an would have excluded all African vestor in the multinational media found a way to watch the matches thority started legal action against amount of money later reduced and international agencies for 20 conglomerate. Lagardere is viewed by using cheap locally made an- Lagardere in 2017, saying the 2016 to approximately $12.4 million, years. The agreement made La- which CAF will have to pay. gardere CAF’s exclusive agent for In 2017, the Competition Com- the marketing and media rights for mission of the Common Market an uninterrupted period without for Eastern and Southern Africa any open tender. said the agreement breached its Lagardere, under the deal, had competition regulations. The awarded the broadcast rights of commission recommended im- all African sports competitions to posing financial penalties on CAF the Qatari beIN network of sports and terminating the agreement channels. with Lagardere. The Confederation of African CAF, in a statement issued No- Football (CAF) said it annulled the vember 8, said that it had no choice agreement because it breached but to terminate the agreement. Egyptian competition rules. However, the end of the agree- The scrapping of the agreement ment will not likely end Egypt’s was the latest round in a media tug media war with Qatar, Egyptian of war between Egypt and Qatar, specialists said. Cairo will continue which have become foes because to protect the interests of Egyptian of Doha’s perceived hostile poli- consumers and prevent the Qatari cies towards the Egyptian govern- media empire from dominating ment and suspected interference Arab and African media scenes, in Egyptian affairs. they added. Qatar, seen as a major regional “Egyptian agencies can prove sponsor of political Islam, has run strong rivals to Qatar,” said Egyp- into conflict with Egypt because of tian sports commentator Hassan its support for the Muslim Broth- al-Mistikawi. “They can start with erhood. Egypt has cracked down African sports events and then on the Muslim Brotherhood and move on to contests in other ar- sought to curb Qatari influence in eas.” the sports broadcasting field. Egyptian media companies A stiff competition for viewers. Egyptians gather at a cafe in the city of Ismailia to watch a 2019 Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian have tried to compete with Qatari- Africa Cup of Nations football match, last June. (AFP) reporter in Cairo. 22 November 17, 2019 Heritage

A transformative experience. Sherin Guirguis’s large earring (L) in the main hall of Beet al-Qadi. (Saeed Shahat) Exhibition takes modern art to Cairo’s Fatimid quarter

Hassan Abdel Zaher rary art to the middle of the histori- who come to see these works of cal buildings. Organisers opted for art,” Guirguis said. “Bringing works four buildings to create an unprec- of art that close to the public makes Cairo edented open-air museum. people interact with them in ways Called “Reimagined Narratives”, that transcend public interaction n Egyptian cultural insti- the exhibition reinvents the story with the same works when they are tution is putting new life of the street, its buildings and its in closed places.” into Egypt’s ancient arts by people from a contemporary angle A putting them side by side and as the artists participating view The exhibition brought with contemporary arts and placing them. both in the view of the public in a Some of the works are symbolic together the works of 28 of mesmerising manner. and others are an expression of the Egypt’s most innovative Art D’Egypte, a private cultural rejection of contemporary artists artists to exhibit on Moezz platform that supports contempo- of some traditions and the politi- Street, the oldest street of rary artists, is giving artists an op- cal and religious lines prevalent in Fatimid Cairo. portunity to display their work. Cairo hundreds of years ago. “Few cultural institutions play Artist Sherin Guirguis contribut- Artist Ahmed Asqalani created this role in the life of the artists,” ed a large earring that moves back gigantic prayer beads and placed said Art D’Egypte founder Nadine and forth in a dancing manner. The them at the entrance to Sultan Abdel Ghaffar. wooden work of art resembles a Qalawun Mosque, which was built She and her colleagues brought playful woman dancing in the mid- in 1285. The beads symbolise the together the work of 28 of Egypt’s dle of the main hall of Beet al-Qadi, extent of piety the mosque repre- most innovative artists and exhibit- where the religious court convened sents in the street. ed them on Moezz Street, the oldest in the early 1800s. Ahmed Qarali reinvented the de- street in Fatimid Cairo. Women were banned from the sign of the mosque and its complex The street, 1,050 years old, con- hall and were only allowed on the in a more modern manner. tains the largest amount of archi- second floor of the building. Hid- It took the artists a year to make tectural proof to the greatness and ing behind the wooden interior bal- their works of art and customise artistry of the builders of Cairo. cony fence, women’s earrings and them to the location. Before start- It is home to some of the oldest jewellery sometimes dropped out ing, the 28 artists spent much time mosques in the city, the oldest hos- of the balcony fence as they looked on the street, studying details and pital and buildings where rulers at men in the hall. to decide the works they would cre- and luminaries of the city lived. “This is a transformative experi- ate to suit it. Art D’Egypte is taking contempo- ence for artists and for the people One of the artists created a bed and placed it in one of the rooms of the main hospital of Moezz Street, which was known as Bemaristan. Another artist reimagined a low sky in a symbolic scene of close connec- tions between mystic Muslims and the sky. In organising the Moezz Street exhibition, Art D’Egypte set stand- ards higher and maintains a tradi- tion of juxtaposing ancient and contemporary arts. Last year, the institution organ- ised an exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It included works of dozens of contemporary artists and exhibited them beside ancient pieces and relics displayed at the Proximity with the public. Gigantic prayer beads by Ahmed museum. Asqalini at the entrance to Sultan Qalawun Mosque. (Saeed Shahat) “Reimagined Narratives” coin- cides with the 1,050th anniversary celebrities wanting to be part of a and the former minister of culture, of the founding of Moezz Street. It cultural event that reformulates “but the works they are bringing is sponsored by the Egyptian Minis- relations between modern and an- to this street are making its walls try of Culture and UNESCO, which cient arts and relations between speak.” declared the street and the area sur- new and old artists. Reinventing history. A new design of Sultan Qalawun Mosque rounding it a World Cultural Herit- “True, I do not know most of the Hassan Abdel Zaher is a and Complex by one of the artists participating in the exhibition. age Site in the 1970s. artists exhibiting their work here,” Cairo-based contributor to (Saeed Shahat) Visitors to the exhibition include said Zahi Hawass, an Egyptologist The Arab Weekly. November 17, 2019 23 Culture

Abdelgader Badr, a Libyan artist with a sense of ‘power of things’

Khulud al-Fallah on the painting. These are the keys to reformulate the basic concepts be- artistic expression.” hind them and highlight the aesthet- “Generally, my abstract work or my ics and colours of these forms and Tripoli artistic experiences are not attempt to make them essential elements in the escape reality but are a reality,” Badr artwork.” ibyan artist Abdelgader Badr added. “These media are the artist’s Badr pointed out that location has said he draws ideas for his raw materials and the language he a special influence on the topics of paintings from his interest in uses to address his audience.” his paintings. Architectural features L ancient architecture in Libya, Badr said abstract art is the result of of buildings and the effects of time North Africa and the Maghreb. He is a deep and fundamental understand- on walls, the shapes and colours of fascinated with Islamic architecture ing of reality in all its components doors, narrow streets and old neigh- and its many distinctive decorations, and symbols and that understanding bourhoods where his parents and perfectly illustrating the unique crea- is reformulated in a way that touches grandparents lived and the events tive and aesthetic values ​​inherent to the soul and the heart. they went through and their lifestyle, the visual and architectural Islamic For Badr, art is what connects re- all occupy a great space in his work. heritage in those regions, as shown flection and creativity to understand “In my sea works, the fishing boats, by the many castles, buildings, the mysteries of the universe and of ports and the tales and legends of the mosques, arches and doors. life. local fishermen constitute the back- The beauty of the architecture “Art is a kind of sense of the power ground for my art and that illustrates melts into the natural beauty of the of things that exist among the details my total immersion in the details of Mediterranean region and its bright of our relationship with others. It is the place I’m depicting,” he said. colours. All these features are re- intimately linked to life, each side Badr’s abstract paintings involve flected in Badr’s abstract and cubist enriching and influencing the other,” intersecting objects and colour ef- paintings that he completed in Libya, he said. fects that give the viewer a wide ar- Interconnected details and forms. A painting by Libyan artist Tunisia and Morocco. ray of choices in interpretation. Abdelgader Badr. (Courtesy of Abdelgader Badr) “The recipient plays a big role in Badr’s paintings are replete with Badr draws ideas for his symbolic connotations found in the the process of pondering the artwork intricately interconnected details paintings from his interest and accepting or rejecting it. When “For his part, the artist is respon- forms,” he said. and forms of the composition and its in ancient Islamic the work contains enough expression sible for raising artistic awareness Badr said he disagrees with the ar- artistic effect, giving viewers room architecture in North and artistic elements such as colours, among the general public, developing gument that abstraction may trap the to project their own feelings and in- Africa and the Maghreb. forms and symbols close to the recip- artistic taste and creating communi- artist into repeating himself. He said a terpretations. His paintings are filled ient’s reality, it will be easy for the re- cation channels with audiences to fa- true artist can create a kind of diver- with people intermingled with fish, “Plastic art, including calligraphy, cipient to appreciate the idea behind cilitate understanding of the artwork. sity from one painting to another. boats, the sea and clouds. drawing and painting, is a means to it. The recipient is an integral part of If an artist cannot touch people’s feel- “My paintings are endless tales and Badr said he believes “the artist document cultural heritage and be- the artwork,” he said. ings and sensitivities, he can never be novels that are often linked to each has a sense of the power of things comes part of the cultural heritage. Badr pointed out that he was try- one.” other and I don’t think I’m repeating and of what he wants to express. The It is also one of the methods for pre- ing, through simple and uncompli- What is noticeable in Badr’s work is myself,” he explained. “I still have strength of a work of art resides in its serving cultural identity, document- cated abstract works, to bring ab- the near total absence of man but not plenty of ideas and themes that I’m elements and their connections with ing and caring for heritage and add- stract art closer to the general public of man’s feelings, joys, sorrows and hoping to express and the diversity of symbols and connotations.” ing to it rather than imitating it; it is and help their understanding of it. He anxieties. This is evidence of the free- my work illustrates this trend. This is “It needs to be complete and pow- not possible to preserve old heritage said his aim is to bridge the distance dom abstract art affords the artist. because of my many hobbies and my erful for the recipient to be impressed without renewing it.” between the audience and plastic Badr’s treatment of his subjects is great interest in marine sports. I love by it and accept it,” he said. “The Badr has exhibited collage-like creativity. never random or absurd. Every line, the sea and sailing, in particular. work’s attractiveness is what draws paintings closely resembling mosa- “The sincerity of the work of art form and colour is carefully laid out “I also have a visual memory that the viewer to it and this depends on ics. “When I took up collage, it was a and the idea being expressed have a and played out. allows me to recall my experiences the artist’s experience and the mas- significant stage and tool that helped tremendous role in influencing the “Abstraction gives me the free- and the places I’ve been to and that tery of his tools and techniques and me develop my abstract work,” he recipient and in his acceptance of the dom to express myself and depart helps me a lot to find themes for my on successfully using symbolic refer- said. “It was an experience that in- work of art,” he said. “That is the true from the ordinary, as well as the work.” ences which are going to make view- spired many of the folkloric elements mirror that reflects the success of the ability to translate mental thoughts, ers stop and take the time to meditate and symbols in my work. I basically artist and of his artwork. emotions and feelings into artistic Khulud al-Fallah is a Libyan writer. London’s auctions give insight into Islamic art

Zainab Mehdi North Africa and Andalusia. Because that Christie’s had an extremely suc- of its colour, the work is referred to cessful sale during Islamic Art Week as the Pink Quran folio by Islamic Art in April. London specialists, Plumbly said. The piece that sparked a lot of ex- The October sale featured textiles, citement was a Quran written for ritish auction houses Chris- jewellery, paintings, ceramics and Sultan Qaytbay (1468-96), the 18th tie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams works of art from Spain to China. Is- Mamluk sultan of Egypt. With an es- recently conducted the bian- lamic objects influenced by Chinese timate of $644,000-$1.02 million, the B nual Islamic Art Week, fea- artistic methods could also be found. Quran sold for $4.79 million. One ex- turing Indian art and modern and The most expensive work listed planation for the high demand for the contemporary Middle Eastern art, a was a 15th-century illustrated double- Mamluk Quran could be that it has relatively recent phenomenon intro- sided folio “The Angel of Bounty and an inscription stating whom the holy duced by Christie’s in 2017. the Arrival at the Second Heaven of book was made for, in this case Sultan The decision to move the sale from Pearls” and an illustrated double-sid- Qaytbay. Dubai to London was meant to “in- ed bifolium “The Two Hells Reserved “It’s quite rare to find Quranic ternationalise the market further for for Misers and Flatterers” from “Nahj manuscripts with royal dedicatory Middle Eastern Art,” Michael Jeha, al-Faradis” (“Paths of Paradise”). inscriptions. Having one, of course, Christie’s managing director and dep- Both works were given a price esti- increases the importance, the value uty chairman, said at the time. mate of $901,211-$1.28 million. and the demand,” Plumbly said. Sara Plumbly, head of Depart- The least expensive lot was a col- Christie’s officials said they take ment for Islamic and Indian Art at lection of silver and brass overlaid extra precautions regarding objects Christie’s, pointed out that works of steel rams and brass or gold and sil- originating from conflict areas, par- particular interest included Quranic ver overlaid steel camels, originating ticularly in Syria and Iraq, where manuscripts and wooden caskets from 19th-century Iran and owned by much art and cultural heritage has originating from Gujarat in India. A a private Swiss collection. It was esti- been destroyed, looted or sold on the striking Quranic folio from a manu- mated at $2,574-$3,862. black market. script includes verses from Surah Despite the uncertainty of how Christie’s measures to authenticate Ash-Shu’ara of the Quran. much Islamic art attracts collectors, it the legal origin of the pieces include The script used is a beautiful, is safe to say there is a relatively high asking stringent questions about the elaborate and smooth one known demand for such art during auction works of art and documents proving as Maghrebi, a cursive form of the events, Plumbly said, noting legal acquisition. The due diligence Arabic alpha- process ensures works of art offered bet influenced are licit with sound prov- by Kufic letters enance. that developed in “You have to treat every object like it’s guilty until

proven innocent,” said Plumbly, add- Elaborate script. A pink Quran folio, Spain, 13th century. (Christie’s Images Ltd, 2019) ing that Christie’s has been vigilant to ensure that it has a transparent mar- ket in which art specialists know from where acquisitions come. Afghanistan in Kabul, we worked with Free access to pre-sale galleries gives The only “blip” that Christie’s en- the British Museum, which had been the public an opportunity to learn countered five years ago concerned doing a lot of work with the museum about Islam and Islamic art. a 17th-century tinned copper Safa- in Kabul, and the bowl was returned This firsthand insight into rare, vid bowl. After extensive research, to where it belonged,” she said, add- elaborate, detailed and valuable Plumbly said she discovered the bowl ing that “the bowl was bought in good works of art allows positive thoughts belonged to the collection of the Ka- faith by the owners.” about Islamic civilisation bul museum. Islamic Art Week brings together Rare and expensive. Three silver and brass overlaid steel rams, “After realising that the bowl was collectors, curators, academics and Zainab Mehdi is an Arab Weekly Qajar, Iran, second half of 19th century. (Christie’s Images Ltd, 2019) looted from the National Museum of connoisseurs from all over the world. intern. 24 November 17, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com USA

Scottish adventurer to embark on Agenda

Bidiyah: thrilling, perilous Sahara expedition Through November 22 The Oman Desert Marathon is a footrace across the Omani desert covering 165km in six stages. Saad Guerraoui From the Oasis of Bidiyah to the Arabian Sea, participants discover London the most remote and untouched sands and the highest dunes in the cottish adventurer and pre- region. senter of BBC2’s “Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabic Ad- Dubai: Through November 22 S venture” series, Alice Mor- rison is using her trekking experi- Taking place at the Jameel Arts ence to embark on a thrilling but Centre, an institution in Dubai perilous 2,000km journey across dedicated to contemporary art, the Sahara Desert. “Second Hand” is a group exhibi- In March, Morrison became the tion that explores materiality first woman to walk the length of through a range of media includ- the Draa River, the longest river in ing sculpture, installation, as- Morocco. semblage, drawing, photography, “It was the most incredible ex- painting and performance. perience. I walked 1,500km down Draa River, discovered a lost city Cairo: and found the tombs of the giants,” November 20-29 Morrison said. “The Sahara expedition is the The 41st Cairo International Film second leg of my epic expedition Festival will include world cinema towards exploring the whole Mo- projections, seminars, workshops, rocco which I can’t stop exploring. debates and tributes. It’s like an addiction, a compul- sion.” Beirut: Morrison said she planned to November 28-December 9 start her 3-month journey Novem- ber 26, with the same team from Beirut 63rd Annual International the Draa Expedition, including Arab Book Fair will take place at three local guides and six cam- Beirut’s New Waterfront. Many els, from Oued Chbika in Tan-Tan publishers and librarians are to province. take part in the fair, offering a wide range of Arab and English Morrison plans to start her books. 3-month journey November Dubai: 26, with the same team from November 29 the Draa Expedition, including three local guides Artists from across the world and six camels, from Oued will showcase their singing skills Chbika in Tan-Tan province. with one crowned winner of the World Music Festival competition. “Oued Chbika is where I finished Participants will sing in English, my Draa Expedition. It’s the most Hindi, Nepali and Filipino in front glorious place with golden dunes of a panel of judges during the onto the crashing waves of the At- open-air event. lantic,” she said. Morrison said she will rely on Tunis: three experienced Amazigh guides December 7-15 to survive in the treacherous de- sert. Carthage Theatre Days, hosted by She is no stranger to tough con- the government of Tunisia, show- ditions or walking through de- cases theatrical productions from serts. In 2014, she completed the the Maghreb, Africa, the Middle Marathon des Sables, in which she East and Europe. completed more than 250km over six days in the Moroccan desert in Tozeur: scorching temperatures. December 25-28 “We will be walking from well The Tozeur International Oasis to well to get water with the help Festival, in southern Tunisia, will of three Amazigh guides. We only feature events ranging from art ex- take with us what we need to sur- hibitions to musical performances vive with and we will be living very Adventurer and presenter of BBC2’s “Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabic Adventure” series Alice along with displays of local food close to nature,” she said. Morrison. (Sunny Bird PR) and traditional crafts. Artists from Jean-Pierre Datcharry, the expe- various countries will perform and dition’s organiser, warned of a se- taught me a lot and I feel ready to interact with visitors. rious risk of running out of water. take on this, my biggest challenge “There is no up-to-date informa- yet,” said Morrison. Muscat: tion on where viable wells current- Morrison will be examining the January 16-February 15 ly are,” said Datcharry, who added effects of climate change on the that he is establishing a safety plan Sahrawi people as well as fauna Lasting a month, the annual Mus- in place, including provision drops and flora. cat Festival in Oman will feature and emergency water supplies. “Vitally, myself and the team will nightly fireworks, traditional “Food for the camels is also a be recording what is happening to Omani music performances, local concern. We will be following the the Sahrawi people and the envi- cuisine, craft displays, exhibitions nomads’ grazing routes but, if ronment of the Sahara as the world from regional countries and tradi- climate change has dried out the heats up. In the last 100 years, the tional dancing. camels’ diet of small shrubs and Sahara has expanded its territory acacia trees, we will have to find by 10%, eating into arable land as Beirut: and buy fodder,” he said. desertification spreads,” she said. February 18-March 22 Morrison stressed that the aim “Desertification is one of the of this expedition was to explore greatest environmental challenges Al Bustan International Festival this virtually unknown part of the of our time and climate change is of Music and the Performing Arts Sahara. making it worse.” is a musical celebration that takes “I will be tracking the death- Morrison settled in Morocco place throughout various venues stalker scorpion, hunting for me- after finishing her marathon five in Beirut and promotes music teorites, investigating the unique years ago. from all over the world. The festi- sand statues of the south and “I came to Morocco to run the val includes orchestral concerts, searching for the lost great bird race but I fell in love with the coun- choral music, opera and dance monuments, which lie hidden in try and with its people and now I performances. the dunes,” Morrison said. live in Imlil,” she said. “We will have to be aware of Her captivating photos on In- We welcome submissions of the areas that are mined between stagram perfectly illustrate her calendar items related to Morocco and Algeria,” she added fondness for Morocco. She said she cultural events of interest to as her journey will take her from intends to write a book about her travellers in the Middle East Oued Chbika directly south to the Sahara journey. and North Africa. Moroccan-Mauritanian border. “I know this is going to be tough Saad Guerraoui is a contributor but I know I have a great team to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb Scottish adventurer Alice Morrison poses with camels. Please send tips to: around me. The Draa Expedition issues. (Sunny Bird PR) [email protected] Contact us: (248) 679 – 6624 [email protected]