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The Muslim Brotherhood – Israel and Europe, Beware!
Nov 2nd, 2012
CommentaryINN - Elizabeth Blade
Categories: Contemporary Issues;The Nation Of Israel

They seized power in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia following the notorious Arab Spring revolutions. They are determined to do the same in Syria and Jordan. They are the Muslim Brotherhood, the world’s most influential modern Islamist organization. But what do we actually know about them? Is their reach limited to the Middle East, and what threats do they pose to Israel and Europe? Israel Today uncovers.

The MB was founded in Egypt in 1928 by schoolteacher Hassan Al-Banna, who advocated embracing Islam as a panacea for personal development and broader social reform. But what started as a religious and social organization was soon turned into a powerful political tool, promoting the establishment of states based on Sharia Law.

As Arabs strove to define their identities and break the chains of colonialism during the mid-20th century, Al-Banna’s ideas were quickly picked up by the Arab masses and the Muslim Brotherhood established branches in nearly every Arab and Muslim country.

Downward Spiral & Infiltration of Europe

But the early success was short-lived. As the secular nationalist regime of Gamal Abdel Nasser seized power in Egypt in the 1950s, the Brotherhood was viewed more and more as a threat to state security, the group’s members were imprisoned and tortured. Other Muslim states where the Brotherhood had a following implemented similar practices, forcing many “Brothers” to seek refuge in France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and other European countries.

During those years, Europe also opened its doors to thousands of Arab students. Once there, Muslims started practicing their faith openly, establishing their first religious facilities, publishing magazines, organizing lectures and attracting newcomers to their ranks. Although their numbers grew rapidly, the offshoots operated mainly as isolated clusters all of which remained close to the ideology of the movement in the Middle East.

The situation changed by the late 1970s, when the cells began to interact with one another, creating formal and informal networks (that spanned Europe and North America), whose priorities were adapted for new generations of Muslims born and raised in Europe.

Assessing the Threat

Because the “Brothers” were not used to being open about their allegiance to the once clandestine movement, it has been hard to estimate the organization’s real numbers. “Nobody knows how many members the group actually has,” said Dr. Lorenzo Vidino, a senior researcher at Switzerland’s Center for Security Studies and the author of “The New Muslim Brotherhood in the West”.

“They do attract a lot of sympathy, but despite their activism, they never managed to create a mass movement that would involve a large number of people. Despite the fact that their ideas reached many European Muslims, most of them either resist the organization or simply ignore it,” he added.

But if that’s the case, how did the Brothers become the most powerful Muslim organization? Vidino said it was a combination of several factors. “First of all, they have access to enormous funds, coming predominantly from Gulf states like Qatar, Kuwait and, to a lesser extent, Saudi Arabia. No other Muslim organization (whether religious or secular) can boast having the same level of backing. They use this money to pose as a group that helps people, building schools, mosques or centers and organizing grandiose events where people can mingle and enjoy excellent food.

“Secondly, they are well-organized and are visible in the media. Of course their claims of representation have been largely exaggerated, but they did succeed in monopolizing the Islamic discourse, making their interpretation of Islam if not mainstream then at least the most readily available,” maintained Vidino.

However, a top Muslim Brotherhood official, whose name cannot be disclosed for security reasons, told Israel Today that the secret of the group’s success is rooted in its altruistic work. “We love to help people and we know what their needs are. We can talk to them in public transportation, their work place and even in the comfort of their homes,” he said.

Cracks in the Foundation

Yet, the Muslim Brotherhood’s success has been somewhat overshadowed by division.

In his book “The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe”, Egyptian scholar Samir Amghar identifies three main currents within the movement. The first includes the so-called independents, people who left the global organization but remained loyal to its ideology. The second (the opposition) consists of those who either disagreed with the internal structure of the group or who established competing organizations. And, finally, the third, writes Amghar, comprises members that follow the mother institution in Egypt and swear allegiance to its supreme guide.

Vidino elaborated: “It’s wrong to assume that the center of the Muslim Brotherhood is located in Cairo. Every ‘branch’ operates separately, answering the demands of a specific Muslim society”.

Divided, but With a Common Goal

Despite these divisions, Brotherhood members around the world are united by a set of common goals.

One of those goals is “to be the ultimate leaders of their Muslim societies,” explained Vidino. “Muslim expatriates are usually divided and disoriented by the impact of life in non-Muslim countries. Very often they lack any knowledge about Islam, which makes them an ideally receptive audience for the Muslim Brotherhood’s message.”

Vidino continued by noting that the Muslim Brotherhood would also like to become the “official representative of the Muslim community in the eyes of the European politicians. They want to be able to interfere with decision-making circles on issues ranging from domestic policies to international affairs, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The Brotherhood’s effort toward achieving those goals have born fruit.

In 2003, for example, France’s Muslim Broterhood-affiliated UFIO was invited to join the Conseil Français du Culte Musulman, a group established by the French authorities to help the government get familiar with the needs and demands of the “Arab street”. A similar initiative was launched in the UK years earlier, when the Muslim Council became one of the government’s chief mediators between the government and the country’s Muslim population.

‘European Leaders Don’t Get It’

The reasons for European leaders engaging groups like the Brotherhood vary, stated Vidino. “Some politicians are motivated by the strong belief that the Muslim Brotherhood is doing the right thing. Others are just too naïve to see the group’s real nature.”

Many European politicians must also worry about keeping the “Muslim vote”, noted Vidino, pointing to the explosive growth rate of the Muslim population there. Moreover, according to the author, many politicians back the “Brothers” fearing accusations of racism and xenophobia.

The Islamization of Europe

While experts try to decipher politicians’ intentions, some are concerned that the Muslim Brotherhood is already leading the Islamization of Europe. In May, the group organized a massive rally in Cairo, with one of the Brotherhood clerics declaring: “The United States of the Arabs will be restored by [Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi] and his supporters…[whereas] the capital of the caliphate… will be Jerusalem, Allah willing.”

Vidino was skeptical. “The success they have right now exceeds their highest expectations. Muslim Brotherhood leaders are very pragmatic; they know [the creation of a Muslim empire] won’t happen overnight, so meanwhile they concentrate on more short-term goals”.

Our Muslim Brotherhood source acceded, stating that the group’s real intention was to “develop the society with the help of the Islamic rules [taking into consideration] the religious preferences of every person.”

The Brotherhood official seemingly lamented that the establishment of a caliphate including Europe “is highly unlikely in the near future, primarily because of the European media’s hateful language against Muslims. European governments engage in anti-Muslim propaganda,” he charged, “depicting us as terrorists when the truth of the matter is Muslims are persecuted everywhere”.

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

Earlier this month, Newsnight (BBC) ran a video clip showing a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated school in London encouraging children to hate non-Muslims. In 2010, another BBC investigation revealed that Muslim school textbooks referred to Jews and Christians as “pigs and apes”, and some went as far as to teach kids on “the correct way to chop off the hands and feet of thieves”.

Hatred of Israel

Apart from targeting Jews, the Brotherhood is fundamentally hostile toward Israel, rejecting its right to exist, opposing the peace process, and obstructing all efforts at normalization between Israel and the Arab states (especially Egypt and Jordan). Blaming all Middle East problems on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Brotherhood also helps to raise money for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which has the blood of hundreds of Israelis on its hands.

To promote anti-Israel sentiment, the religiously conservative Muslim Brotherhood has even joined forces with extremist liberal left-wing groups that make it their aim to delegitimize Israel through various media stunts.

In fact, London has turned into an important media hub for the Brotherhood, which operates the Arabic publication Risalat Al-Ikhwan and the satellite channel Al-Hiwar TV, boasting more than two million viewers, out of the British capital. Apart from broadcasting programs with Islamic themes and anti-Israeli propaganda and incitement, Al-Hiwar gives stage to various extremists (like Muhammad Sawalha, a Hamas operative) who use the media as a tool to spread their toxic messages.

Target: Europe

But the Muslim Brotherhood is not only dangerous to Jews or Israel. “The movement promotes agendas that encourage their followers to think of themselves first and foremost as Muslims, thus hindering their assimilation in Europe. Even though they say the opposite, their messages are clearly incompatible with European values,” said Vidino.

Moreover, constant radical preaching (that’s forced down the throats of European Muslims from an early age) makes it easier for extremists to recruit operatives able to carry out suicide attacks either in the Middle East or on European soil.

“If [the Muslim Brotherhood continues to pursue this path] and if these teachings are absorbed by the Muslim masses in Europe, this could prove dangerous for the European society,” Vidino summed up.

Let the Headlines Speak
Nov 2nd, 2012
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

College Allows Transgender Man to Expose Himself to Young Girls
A Washington college said their non-discrimination policy prevents them from stopping a transgender man from exposing himself to young girls inside a women’s locker room, according to a group of concerned parents....a 45-year-old male student, who dresses as a woman and goes by the name Colleen Francis, undressed and exposed his genitals on several occasions inside the woman’s locker room at Evergreen State College.

Iranians burn US flags to mark embassy seizure
Thousands of Iranians chanting "Death to America" burnt US flags on Friday to mark the 33rd anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran, just days before the American presidential election. The demonstrators also chanted anti-British and anti-Israeli slogans, and burnt Israeli flags, as they gathered in front of the site of the former embassy, dubbed the "den of spies" by the authorities who sponsor the annual commemoration, an AFP photographer reported.

Russia warns West over involvement in Syrian opposition
A senior Russian diplomat on Friday warned the West against trying to predetermine a future leadership of Syria. Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Twitter that such attempts would contradict the peace plan for Syria approved by world powers in Geneva in June. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the administration would push for a shakeup in the Syria opposition leadership so that it better represents fighters on the frontline.

New Obamacare Tax Form Mandates Americans Report Personal Health ID Info to IRS
When Obamacare’s individual mandate takes effect in 2014, all Americans who file income tax returns must complete an additional IRS tax form. The new form will require disclosure of a taxpayer’s personal identifying health information in order to determine compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. As confirmed by IRS testimony to the tax-writing House Committee on Ways and Means, “taxpayers will file their tax returns reporting their health insurance coverage, and/or making a payment”.

Nor’easter May Be Next for New England
The National Weather Service’s Prediction Center issued a warning for a possible nor’easter, which may hit the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions as early as next Tuesday. While the storm is not anticipated to be as destructive as Sandy, the prediction center anticipated the storm will “cause light to moderate precipitation around that region of the country” and “produce impacts much less extreme.”

Local Reporter Tells TheBlaze: ‘I’m 100 Percent Positive’ Crowds Were Chanting ‘Hail Obama!’ at First Lady Rally
In an exclusive interview with TheBlaze, WOFL Fox 35 reporter Mike Synan said he is “100 percent positive” that the crowds were chanting “Hail Obama!” at the event. Further, he said there were at least three or four other local TV stations at the event that heard it as well. “We all started talking about it after my tweet started getting attention,” he told TheBlaze. Everyone was “in agreement” about what was being chanted and many agreed it was “tacky.”

Gunmen occupy Libyan parliament
Dozens of gunmen have occupied Libya's parliament to register their anger over the formation of the new government. The militiamen are demanding some of the ministers be removed because they have links to the late Muammar Gaddafi's regime. At least a dozen trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns are lining the main road to the parliament.

Storm Sandy: Anger as fuel shortages hamper recovery
Fuel shortages and difficulties in restoring power are hampering efforts to restore normality to parts of the US north-east in the wake of Storm Sandy. Fights broke out at petrol stations in New York and New Jersey, and power suppliers warned some areas might not have electricity until 11 November. Anger is also rising in New York's Staten Island, with some residents saying they had been forgotten.

Group says Church of England vicar anti-Semitic
Britain’s Jewish community representative organization has taken the unprecedented step of lodging a formal complaint to the Church of England, the country’s officially established Christian church, accusing one of its clergyman of anti-Semitism. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has accused Rev. Stephen Sizer, the vicar of Virginia Water Church...of making anti-Semitic statements...

Sinai Salafists threaten Israel, Egypt security
Security in the increasingly lawless Sinai Peninsula continued to be a pressing issue in both Egypt and Israel this week, with threats to both countries from the al-Qaida-affiliated Salafist jihadi groups who have found fertile breeding grounds in Sinai since the Egyptian revolution.

Jerusalem Mayor: Let My People Pray
Nov 2nd, 2012
Daily NewsINN - Maayana Miskin
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has come out against the ongoing discrimination against Jews on the Temple Mount. Jews are prohibited to pray on the Mount, which is the holiest place in the world according to Judaism, and many have even been arrested for moving their lips at the site.

The matter is ultimately in the government’s hands, Barkat said, and not in the hands of Jerusalem leaders. His own opinion is “to let every person pray on the Temple Mount,” he said.

In August MK Aryeh Eldad (Ichud Leumi) proposed a daring solution to the current impasse: split access to the Temple Mount between Jews and Muslims. The approach would allow Jews to pray while avoiding the Temple Mount riots feared by police.

Barkat gave his opinion on the matter while visiting Netiv Meir, a yeshiva high school for religious-Zionist youth.

He also spoke to the young students about leadership, and shared his own life story, which included services in the IDF Paratroopers, years in the business world, and then time in the realm of politics and public service.

In addition, Barkat addressed the issue of selecting a chief rabbi for the city. He noted that he had promised deceased religious-Zionist leader Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu that he would work to get a religious-Zionist rabbi appointed.

However, he said, it appears that a Chief Rabbi will be chosen only after the next mayoral elections, potentially putting the matter outside his influence. “I worked to lay the groundwork for a Zionist rabbi to be chosen, and I hope that will continue,” he said.

Iran Completing Its Nuclear Activities, Says Atomic Official
Nov 2nd, 2012
Daily NewsINN - Elad Benari
Categories: Today's Headlines;Warning

The Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Fereidoun Abbasi, said this week that Iran is completing its nuclear activities, the Fars news agency reported.

Asked about recent media reports on Iran's new centrifuges in the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, Abbasi told reporters at the end of a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday that Iran is completing its nuclear activities as scheduled “regardless of the negative western media speculations and reports.”

"We are doing our job according to our specified timeline and we are accomplishing them. Our response to such reports is working harder," Abbasi was quoted as having said.

His remarks came a week after Western diplomats said that it appears as though Tehran is in its final stages of placing centrifuges at Fordow.

The diplomats noted that for some unknown reason the new centrifuges have not yet been activated. They added that they received indications that Iran has placed 640 centrifuges out of the 2,800 that were supposed to be installed in the Fordow facility.

The reports seemed to confirm remarks by a Western diplomat registered with the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The diplomat said previously that it is believed Iran continues to install centrifuges at the Fordow plant.

The IAEA reported in August that Iran had installed 350 new centrifuges since May, in addition to a previously-reported 1,000 that have been installed as part of Iran’s plan to have 3,000 centrifuges working.

A report published several weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal warned that Iran will be able to produce weapons-grade nuclear fuel in the next two to four months.

The Fordow facility near Qom is underground, heavily fortified and protected by the armed forces, making it a very difficult target for air strikes.

The existence of the facility only came to light after it was identified by Western intelligence agencies in September 2009.