The Simon Wiesenthal Center on Friday condemned a United States government decision to engage in conversations with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. The Jewish center said that the Islamic group in Egypt has “anti-Semitic beliefs” and Washington should not participate in a dialogue with the organization. The statements came after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Barak Obama administration announced they would begin “limited contacts” with the Brotherhood in an effort to promote democratic reform in Egypt and around the region. “If the State Department thinks its going to convert the Muslim Brotherhood and dissuade them from their anti-Semitic beliefs, it is the height of folly,” said the Center's founder and dean, Rabbi Marvin Hier, in comments to The Jerusalem Post. “The Muslim Brotherhood has not categorically renounced violence towards Israel,” he continued, and pointed to a statement made in June by the organization's head in Egypt, Mohammed Badie. However, despite the Center's claims, the Brotherhood has recently promoted democratic reform in the post-uprising Egypt atmosphere, where reforms have been put on the table and elections planned for September. A top Brotherhood official, who asked not to be named, said that the Center is attempting to stoke fears of Islamic reform groups in Egypt and the region by focusing on anti-Israeli statements. “We are opposed to Israel and its policy of violence and repression against our Palestinian brothers and sisters, but we are open to dialogue with the United States if they are also willing to understand our positions against the Jewish occupation of Arab lands,” the official told Bikya Masr. “Groups like this are just trying to create fear of legitimate organizations working within the system because the West fears anything Islamic,” the official added. The Brotherhood has come under criticism in recent years for its stance toward Christians and women, but has stated that it would allow Christians and women in Egypt to stand for president, a turn from previous statements from the group to the contrary. According to observers and members of the Islamic group, the move toward democracy appears to be easing a number of restrictions they had placed upon their organization. BM
