Israel Behind Egypt's Coup?

by Stephen Lendman

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames Israel for ousting Morsi. It wouldn't surprise. He claims he has proof. More on that below.

He's the last one to point fingers. He rules repressively. He's more despot than democrat.

Civil and human rights abuses during his tenure are commonplace. Wealth and power interests alone matter. Popular needs go begging. Authoritarian neoliberalism defines policy.

Police state violence targets dissenters. Thousands are arrested. Terrorism and other false charges follow. So do convictions. Victims face harsh imprisonment. For some it's longterm.

No country imprisons more journalists than Turkey. Thousands are wrongfully accused of terrorism and other anti-government charges. Press freedom's verboten. Independent thought's not tolerated.

Turkey's more police state than democracy. Erdogen bears full responsibility. He's had intermittent disputes with Israel. More on that below.

On July 6, New York Times writers David Kirkpatrick and Mayy El Sheikh headlined "Morsi Spurned Deals, Seeing Military as Tamed." A previous article discussed it, saying:

Ahead of his ouster, Morsi huddled with aides. "(H)e received a call from an Arab foreign minister with a final offer to end a standoff with the country's top generals, senior advisors with the president said."

The unnamed official was Washington's emissary. He offered Morsi a deal he knew he'd reject.

He asked if he'd "accept the appointment of a new prime minister and cabinet, one that would take over all legislative powers and replace his chosen provincial governors."

Morsi rejected a similar proposal earlier. "This before that," he said. He repeated a "vow to die before accepting what he considered a de facto coup."

It was about to begin. White House and State Department officials kept low profiles. According to The Times:

"The abrupt end of Egypt’s first Islamist government was the culmination of months of escalating tensions and ultimately futile American efforts to broker a solution that would keep Mr. Morsi in his elected office, at least in name, if not in power."

"A new alliance of youthful activists and Mubarak-era elites was driving street protests." Strings were pulled in Washington.

Last fall, Morsi knew he might be ousted. He told close advisers:

"Do you think this is the peak? (It'll) be when you see my blood flowing on the floor."

He erred thinking SCAF supported him. After Mubarak's ouster, he was MB's designated envoy for talks with ruling generals. He thought he developed close ties.

Close aides said he was the last to know his days were numbered. Around mid-June, Morsi's inner circle saw imminent trouble. SCAF head General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi warned of a growing "split in society."

Divisions between Morsi and opponents compels the military "to intervene," he said.

Morsi didn't expect a coup. At least not so soon. He remained defiant. It didn't matter. It was too late. The die was cast. Steps to remove him were underway. Washington's dirty hands were involved. Maybe Israel's. It wouldn't surprise.

A previous article said Israel's complicit in what's ongoing. On August 18, The New York Times headlined "Israel Escalating Efforts to Shape Allies' Strategy," saying:

"Israel plans this week to intensify its diplomatic campaign urging Europe and the United States to support the military-backed government in Egypt despite its deadly crackdown on Islamist protesters, according to a senior Israeli official involved in the effort."

Israeli ambassadors in Washington and EU capitals are lobbying foreign ministers. Netanyahu's government claims SCAF control is vital to prevent further chaos.

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed Netanyahu's involvement. He wants junta power supported. He prioritizes business as usual. Did he and other Israeli hardliner orchestrate Morsi's ouster? Did they do it conspiratorially with Washington?

Erdogan claims proof of Israel's involvement. On August 20, Hurriyet Daily News headlined "Turkey has evidence that Israel was behind Egypt coup: Erdogen," saying:

"Now the West starts to say democracy is not the ballot box or not only the box but we know that the ballot box is the people’s will."

"The West should (understand) the description of democracy. They need to learn it."

"This is what has been implemented in Egypt. Who is behind this? Israel. We have evidence."

"If we stay silent in the face of the coup in Egypt, we will not have the right to say something if they set the same trap for us in the future."

He blamed Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. He did so for supporting Morsi's ouster. They provided billions of dollars in post-coup aid. It's multiples more than Washington. It way exceeds what EU nations supply.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekr Bozdag criticized Gulf states. He said they supported Morsi's removal. They want "puppet administrations." They wanted him out for "better control."

Turkey's one of the strongest anti-coup critics. Erdogen's worried about something similar homegrown.

Protests rocked Turkey earlier. They continue intermittently. Police state harshness targets them.

Erdogen's held office for over a decade. He's increasingly unpopular. Perhaps he fears groundswell opposition replicating what happened in Egypt.

On August 17, he accused Egyptian authorities of committing "state terrorism." Egypt's interim Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy responded saying:

"Turkey demonstrated a hostile attitude, not only by its statements but also by the actions it took at the international level."

"Turkey's stance on Egypt is related to the AK Party's ideology and its miscalculations about the Arab revolution."

"I can understand that the situation in Egypt is different, but double standards and an external intervention cannot be accepted."

Egypt won't tolerate Turkish interference in its affairs, he added.

Erdogan maintained close ties to Morsi. He calls toppling him unacceptable. He's lobbied other countries to step up pressure on Egypt. More on what's happening below.

Erdogen's evidence comes from a pre-2011 election meeting. An Jewish French "intellectual" and Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni discussed Egypt.

"The Muslim Brotherhood will not be in power even if they win the elections," they said. "Because democracy is not the ballot box."

Erdogen referred to Bernard-Henri Levy. He cited video evidence. It's available online. It's the only information supporting Erdogan's claim.

It shows Levy saying:

"If the Muslim Brotherhood arrives in Egypt, I will not say democracy wants it, so let democracy progress. Democracy is not only elections, it is also values."

He was asked if he supported Egypt's military intervention. He answered saying:

"I will urge the prevention of (the Muslim Brotherhood) coming to power, (and) by all sorts of means."

Israel's dismissive. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Erdogen's claim isn't "worth commenting on."

Erdogen should know, saying:

"Nobody can say the word 'dictator' where dictatorship exists. They hang (such people) as they do in Egypt."  

"Those who want to see a dictator must look at Egypt."

Turkey under Erdogen represents the same thing. Don't expect him to explain. Pointing fingers elsewhere diverts attention.

On August 20, Mossad-connected DEBKAfile (DF) highlighted the anti-Semetic canard. Israel uses it often. It diverts attention. It points fingers the wrong way.

DF headlined "Erdogan in another anti-Semitic diatribe against Israel," saying:

"Erdogan undid the hard work performed by US and Israeli to gloss over his radical anti-Semitic views and the bankruptcy of his Middle East policies, in the hope of co-opting Ankara to a moderate regional lineup."

He accused Israel of orchestrating Morsi's ouster. DF claims he did so to divert attention "from his failure to establish Turkish influence in any part of the Middle East, especially in Egypt."

Israel's a rogue terror state. It's complicit with Washington. They're waging war on humanity. From August 21 - 24, the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal (KLWCT) will hold hearings.

Israel's charged with crimes of war and genocide. So is Israeli retired Israeli General Amos Yaron. Palestinian suffering is well documented.

Israel waged war on Lebanon multiple times. It's involved in Washington's war on Syria. Along with America, it's the leading instigator of regional conflict and instability. Rogue states operate that way. Israel's one of the worst.

A Final Comment

Conflicting reports about Washington suspending aid to Egypt surfaced. On the one hand, they suggest Obama did so quietly. On the other, administration and Pentagon officials said it's under review.

No final decision was made. At most, aid might be suspended short-term. It doesn't matter either way. Gulf states will make up any shortfall.

They already supply multiples more than Washington. Saudi Arabia said it'll replace whatever amount Washington halts dollar for dollar.

On August 20, the Wall Street Journal headlined "Allies Thwart America in Egypt," saying:

Washington's closest regional allies are "undercutting American policy in Egypt." Doing so "encourage(s) the military" to continue harsh crackdowns.

Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE are involved. "A senior Israeli official called the anti-Muslim Brotherhood nations 'the axis of reason.' "

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel claims Washington's "ability to influence the outcome in Egypt is limited." He did so disingenuously.

US forces infest the region. They're intimidating. Egypt's in no position to challenge US authority. Nations doing so learn the hard way.

If Washington wanted violence stopped, why has rhetoric substituted for policy? Why was Obama complicit in ousting Morsi? Why does America support the worst of regional despots?

EU nations discussed suspending aid to Egypt. At most, it'll be short-term. Washington and key European allies prioritize business as usual. Expect no change going forward.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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