AFRICA/EGYPT - "The attack on the Israeli embassy is a clear act of breaking with the past", says a missionary from Cairo

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - "It was a proof of strength, a gesture of breaking with the past. A 'sacred' place was violated, which under Mubarak’s regime would never have been attacked in that way", says Fr.Giovanni to Fides, a Comboni missionary who lives in Cairo, and witnessed the assault on the Israeli embassy on September 9 by a large group of demonstrators. "We saw the group that attacked the Israeli embassy. It is hard to think that it was a spontaneous event. It was a planned event. This attack was carried out by recruited football fans. What is most disturbing is that the embassy was not adequately defended," said the missionary. "This gesture will certainly please the people’s expectations, who feel resentment towards Israel. And it is easy to make populist statements in this field to gather support for the forthcoming elections. At the same time, however, it damages the Country’s international relations and puts the international community at risk ", comments Father Giovanni.
"To all of this, an additional key to the reading can be added" continues Fr. John. "The provisional government was formed by members of Mubarak’s military regime. While the latter is on trial, his men rule the Country. But from the trial, some papers that highlight the connivance of the current power holders with past events could emerge. In addition, the mood of the population towards the army has changed. Many are declaring themselves against the army. One could therefore hypothesize underground agreements between the military sectors and Muslim Brotherhood environments, if the military power pave the way for the Muslim Brotherhood, the latter could in return guarantee them a certain impunity. But we are only dealing with hypotheses" underlines the missionary.
"There are several signs that indicate a change in the international position of Egypt. We are talking for example of changing access modalities from Western countries. So far, to enter the Country you can simply buy the visa at the airport. Instead the rule where one must go to the Egyptian embassy in the Country of origin to enter Egypt is asked to be introduced. It is a sign in my opinion of a progressive breakaway from the West" concludes the missionary. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/09/2011)