Shocking turn of events in the Egypt uprising. Eli Lakes of the Washington Times reports on an interview in which a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood calls for the withdrawal of Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel.
A political leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Thursday called on any government that replaces Hosni Mubarak’s regime to withdraw from the 32-year-old peace treaty with Israel.
“After President Mubarak steps down and a provisional government is formed, there is a need to dissolve the peace treaty with Israel,” Rashad al-Bayoumi, a deputy leader of the outlawed movement, said on Japan’s NHTV.
The interview contrasted with earlier signals from the group. On Feb. 1, Mahmoud Ezzat, a spokesman for the brothers, told CBS News that his organization “will respect the peace treaty with Israel as long as Israel shows real progress on improving the lot of the Palestinians.”
In the past, Muslim Brotherhood leaders have supported the Palestinian branch of the brotherhood, Hamas, that rejects any negotiations with Israel and pledges to destroy the Jewish state.
The Muslim Brotherhood is the world’s largest, most influential Islamic group. It was formed in Egypt in 1928 their stated primary goal include reinstatement of the caliphate and reunite the “dar el Islam” (Countries where Muslims are free to practice their religion).
Although they preach non-violence, The Brotherhood is believed to be the group behind previous attacks in Egypt, and the assassination of Mahmoud an-Nukrashi Pasha, the Egyptian Prime Minister in 1948 and the president of Egypt in 1981.
