Israeli Arabs Watch Egypt From Awkward Vantage
Egypt's popular revolution is making Israel an oasis of stability in the region, leaving Israeli Arabs torn.
Israeli’s Arab citizens watch the revolution in Egypt and come away confused. On one hand, this is a popular revolution with a very distinct social dimension, which should be admired. On the other hand, it is sending shockwaves throughout the Arab world, leaving Israel an oasis of stability in the region.
“I’ve been watching Egypt. I always used to visit there. I felt at home there once, but now I don’t recognize it,” said Abu Azmi, a restaurant owner from Tur’an who provides catering services for events across the country, most of them held by Jews. “I think that if I had my business in Egypt,” he adds, “it would have fallen apart by now.”
I ask him whether everything happening in the countries surrounding us has changed his attitude toward the State of Israel and its government.
“The state still discriminates against us because we’re Arabs, and that’s wrong,” he answers. “Our children feel that they have no future here, even if they study hard and receive a degree in engineering or economics. We remain second-class citizens in just about everything. On the other hand, take a look at Egypt. What kind of future do the young people have there? They dreamed of democracy and got [deposed President Mohammed] Morsi instead. Now the military is in power, so can we even complain?”
