Mubarak leaves Cairo as protests continue

Published on February 11, 2011

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak reportedly is leaving Cairo, but who is in control remains unclear.

Israel and the dictators (besides Mubarak)

Published on February 9, 2011

It’s not that we’re against democracy, goes the Israeli line on Egypt, it’s that we’re afraid of the Islamists and radical Arab nationalists taking over. We’re afraid to lose the peace. We’re right on Egypt’s border – the front line. We love democracy, we want democracy for everyone, certainly for our Arab neighbors, and we hate dictatorship, of course – we’re just very worried about our security, and we have a right to be.

Egypt moves to limit presidential terms as protests reach 16th day

Published on February 9, 2011

A judiciary committee formed to review Egypt's constitution has agreed to amend six articles, state media reported on Wednesday, as anti-government protests continued for the 16th straight day.

Egypt and the universal rights of women

Published on February 8, 2011

In 1799, the French artist Vivant Denon, accompanying a team of scientists traveling to Egypt with Napoleon (who excused his invasion with the logic that he was bringing democracy to the Arabs) was touring some ancient sites along the upper Nile when he came across an 8-year-old girl in severe pain. Writing in his journal, Denon noted that “a cut, inflicted with equal brutality and cruelty, has deprived her of the means of satisfying the most pressing want, and occasioned the most horrible convulsions.” Denon was referring, of course, to female genital mutilation. The Frenchman quickly pulled out a knife and performed a counter-operation, by which he “was able to save the life of this unfortunate little creature.”

Siren Song

By Rob Eshman
Published on February 8, 2011

The last two weeks have been a shining moment for the Egyptian people. For us Jews, not so much.

Peres: Israeli-Palestinian peace urgent in light of Egypt crisis

Published on February 6, 2011

President Shimon Peres urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to move quickly toward a solution in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in light of the crisis that has wracked Egypt over the last two weeks.