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EGYPT: A shoe clash over Gaza

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The expression of discontent with the government’s position on the ongoing war in Gaza is not limited to conventional demonstrations or marches. Shoes have recently come to the fore as a new means to express further disenchantment with President Hosni Mubarak’s policies.

A recent debate between the Muslim Brotherhood and the ruling National Democratic Party in parliament on the situation in Gaza burst into a quarrel in which an MP belonging to the Islamist organization took off his shoe and pointed it at a fellow MP from the NDP. Such a gesture, as President Bush found out in Iraq, is the ultimate put down in the Arab world.

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The clash broke out when an NDP member accused the Muslim Brotherhood of treason and serving foreign interests. In response, Islamist deputies had reportedly shouted: “The traitors are the ones who close Rafah crossing and export gas to Israel.”

The incident has drawn media attention and caused a fuss in parliament. The head of the People’s Assembly, Fathi Sorour, a politician close to Mubarak, reportedly reprimanded the Islamist MPs, saying: “You have humiliated and undermined the People’s Assembly.” He went further, casting doubts over the group’s adherence to Islamic values, asking them: “Are you Muslims?”

The Muslim Brotherhood has arranged several protests nationwide since the Israelis attacked Gaza last month. The group has voiced harsh criticism of the Egyptian government, accusing it of conspiring against Hamas. The government responded by rounding up hundreds of the group members.

Yet, opposition is not only expressed at home. Egypt has faced ruthless opposition in different parts of the Arab world for refusing to fully open its borders with Gaza. Protests broke out in many Arab capitals condemning the Egyptian position. Some Arab protesters went further, attacking Egyptian embassies and consulates. To defend itself, the Egyptian government has launched a media campaign raising suspicions that Iran was behind all this turbulence and accusing local opposition forces of conspiring with Iran.

—Noha El-Hennawy in Cairo

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