TFLE01: FREQUENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN CAIRO AGAINST

UNCLAS CAIRO 004560 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR MIKE SINGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EG SUBJECT: TFLE01: FREQUENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN CAIRO AGAINST ISRAELI "AGGRESSION" SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Demonstrations in support of Lebanon and against Israel have become near daily occurrences in Cairo since the July 13 Israeli bombing of Beirut,s international airport. Protests are expected to continue this week, with the largest anticipated to be a July 26 demonstration in Cairo,s central Liberation Square, coordinated by Islamists, leftist groups and NGO activists, to show "solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance." On July 21, approximately 10,000 Egyptians joined in a peaceful demonstration at Cairo,s Al Azhar mosque following Friday prayers, declaring their support for Lebanon and denouncing recent Israeli military operations in the Levant. Speeches by Islamist and leftist leaders criticized Egypt,s President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan,s King Abdullah II and Saudi Arabia,s King Abdullah, in addition to the U.S. and Israel. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Demonstrations in support of Lebanon and against Israel have become near daily occurrences in Cairo since the July 13 Israeli bombing of Beirut,s international airport. Protests are expected to continue this week, with the largest anticipated to be a July 26 demonstration in Cairo,s central Liberation Square, organized by the "National Forces for Palestine and Lebanon", a grouping of Islamists, leftists and NGO activists, to show "solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance." (Note: July 26 is also the 50th anniversary of Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal. End Note.) The demonstration's slogan, already being distributed via websites, addresses Arab leaders, stating, "Your Majesties, Your Excellencies ... Spit on You!" ¶3. (SBU) According to press reports, thousands of Egyptians rallied at Cairo,s Al Azhar mosque following Friday prayers on July 21 (press estimates of attendance at the demonstration range from eight to fifteen thousand.) Speakers included Mahdy Akef (Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood),Abdul Ezz Al Hariry (Tagamau),Abdel Azim Maghraby (Nasserite Party),Abdel Azziz Mafakhoum (Kefaya Movement),Salah Abdel Metael (Islamic Labor Party),Sayed Askar (Al Azhar),Sameh Ashour (Bar Syndicate),and a representative from the Al Wafd Party. MB Supreme Guide Akef reportedly described the United States as "the real enemy" and in subsequent comments to the press said, "today we are supporting the Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi resistance and every resistance against Zionist, American and European arrogance." Other speakers condemned the U.S. for allegedly condoning Israeli violence in both Lebanon and Gaza. Others criticized President Mubarak for his censuring of Hezbollah and denounced him as a U.S. agent. King Abdullah II of Jordan and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah were also criticized for "not supporting their Muslim brothers." ¶4. (SBU) Some press reports noted that fights between protestors and police followed the rally, breaking out at one of the gates of Al Azhar. Protestors reportedly tried to break through a police cordon onto the street, but plainclothes police blocked their way, and fistfights broke out. According to Embassy contacts, the disturbances were minor and erupted when MB Supreme Guide Akef was leaving Al Azhar with his guards, who tried to push through the police security line, thereby prompting a fight. In either case, five of the demonstrators were injured, as was one policeman, but no arrests were made. ¶5. (SBU) Smaller demonstrations were held on July 21 at the El Nour mosque in Cairo,s Abassya district and at the Ahmer Ibn Al Az mosque in the Old Cairo district. Groups of demonstrators elsewhere in the city were reportedly not exclusively Muslim, but also included significant numbers of Copts. Some Christians told reporters that they were demonstrating on behalf of the "Lebanese victims" and that it was their duty to support their fellow Arabs, but emphasized that they did not support Hezbollah,s attacks against Israel. Also on July 21, another 3,000 demonstrated in Alexandria "in solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinians" in a number of mosques following Friday prayers. The Kefaya movement also organized a small demonstration in the Al Raml district of Alexandria. ¶6. (SBU) There have been a number of other similar rallies held since Israeli military operations in Lebanon began. On July 19, a small group of demonstrators in central Cairo waved Hezbollah flags and held up pictures of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and former Egyptian President (and icon of pan-Arab nationalism) Gamal Abdel Nasser. On July 16, a peaceful "Support Lebanon and Palestine" demonstration in front of Cairo,s Arab Physicians' Syndicate turned into an angry anti-Israel rally. The demonstration, which was called for via e-mails, SMS and newspapers, was organized by the Egyptian Physicians' Syndicate with the participation of Kefaya, Youth for Change, the Egyptian Committee for Combatting Imperialism and Zionism, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Karama (Dignity Party),and the Pan Arabist Nasserite movement. Press reports indicate approximately 100 Egyptians participated. Also on July 16, the Egyptian Bar Association organized a demonstration calling on Egyptians to undertake jihad in Lebanon and Palestine. Demonstrators held up images of Nasrallah and Nasser. Following Friday prayers on July 14, five thousand Egyptians gathered at Al Azhar mosque, shouting slogans in support of the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance, according to press sources. On the same day, the Kefaya movement organized a demonstration in front of Cairo,s Al Tawfiqiya mosque, but police broke up the protest. Also on July 14, the Muslim Brotherhood organized demonstrations across Egypt. According to press reports, thousands demonstrated in the Delta governorates of Daqahliya and Damietta, calling for fund-raising on behalf of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians. RICCIARDONE