The fall of Mubarak puts Israel’s security at risk

Egyptian security forces deployed against protesters

After the assassination of Anwar as-Sadat in 1981, the Arab world’s most populous nation, Egypt saw the ascension of Hosni Mubarak to become its ruler – a man who would inherit dictatorial powers and would rule the country with an iron fist.    

In return for President Mubarak’s efforts to honour his predecessor’s peace treaty with Israel, the United States has continued to pump money into the Egyptian armed forces controlled by Mubarak. Egypt became the second largest recipient of US military and economic aid in the world after Israel. The aid package continued to be increased over the years and today its stands at around $ 1.5 billion.     

The US considers Mubarak led Egypt to be the moderate stand-bearer of the Arab world, and is one of the two major Arab countries to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. During almost three decades of emergency rule, Mubarak has been the head of the executive, the judiciary, armed forces, police, and has control over the legislature. Mubarak’s special security forces have brutally suppressed many attempts by Egyptian people to push for reform.    

Today, Egypt is vehemently opposed to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is enforcing the blockade of Gaza Strip to isolate Hamas – the Palestinian Islamic resistant movement. Mubarak regime does not tolerate Islamic movements, especially Muslim Brotherhood – the largest opposition movement against his dictatorial rule. Egypt’s authoritarian leadership has been benefitting from the US money and foreign investments, and therefore, Egypt has remained as an ally of the United States and Israel.   

Though what is going to happen in Egypt is difficult to predict, the time has come for the brave Egyptian people to break the shackles of despotism imposed on them for decades. People around the world are watching with keen interest as rapidly moving events continue to unfold in Egypt. Israel is particularly worried as its security is directly linked to Egypt. Israel has for so long depended on Egypt for the security of its southern border.   

The sudden arrival of Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Egypt amidst the ongoing protests is an attempt by the United States to transfer power from Mubarak to another of its puppets to ensure that Israel remains secure, and the rising power of Islamists are curbed.  

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Written by: Ibrahim Nazim
3 February 2011, Thursday
30 Safar 1432