Israel is using the U.S. Administration to smear the January 25 Revolution, said Alaa al-Aswany, the high-profile Egyptian novelist. American spies receive American funds, but no one is talking about Arab aid from Gulf States – which is more dangerous, he claims. Egypt's national movements have not accepted foreign aid, and families sold their land to support the historic al-Wafd party, al-Aswany said. The Egyptian novelist condemned the lack of evidence in the ruling military council's accusations hurled at national groups, adding that the ruling military council should direct its energies toward criminal prosecutions and not to support media smear campaigns. There are 24 complaints against former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, al-Aswany said. Shafiq is accused of embezzling public funds and profiteering, but the former official defended himself in the media by indicating the media's role is not to try former officials. Al-Aswany claims the current campaign designed to besmirch Egypt's revolution is supported by Israel. There are also prominent NGOs and similar organizations enjoying foreign aid from the U.S. despite current policies about receiving foreign funds. No one speaks of financial aid from Gulf States, said al-Asway, highlighting that Al-Wafd Daily used about two million EGP (U.S. $335,684) to support political groups after the resignation of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. He added that Youm7 newspaper published an article about Salafis renting three thousand buses to transport its members to Tahrir Square on "Reunification Friday.” Al-Aswany rejects the supra-constitutional principles and argues that the constitution must protect principles of human rights. Al-Aswany also said Mamdouh Hamza – who al-Aswany claims is the victim of a smear campaign – is looking forward to the success of the Egyptian revolution as a citizen, but is disturbed by what he calls “religious fascism,” which is distorting the truth. Not all Islamists are fascists, only those who distort the truth.
