Egypt: Meeting between journalist, Israeli ambassador stirs storm

[henank]

Israeli Ambassador to Egypt Moshe Cohen's visit this week to state-run al-Ahram's offices stirred a storm in the country, as some claimed this was part of "normalization of ties with Israel" which they say is unacceptable.


The Egyptian Journalists Association went so far as to demand the reporter that met with him, Hala Mustafa, be fired.


The ambassador and Mustafa were shocked by the harsh response and the fuss caused following the meeting. Sources in the Israeli embassy in Cairo on Thursday told Ynet they were disappointed and shocked over the storm Cohen's meeting cause.


"We regret the conduct of the Egyptian associations, which continue to harm any initiative meant to promote ties between the peoples, and this was actually in the Palestinian people's favor," a source said.


Makram Mohammed Ahmed, head of the journalist association, told London-based al-Quds al-Arabi on Tuesday that he would not tolerate any deviation from the journalistic consensus, which opposes normalization with Israel.


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Isn't that pathetic? A country supposedly at peace with Israel, and their journalists union cannot accept a normalization of ties only 30+ years after the peace treaty was signed, and after all the land was given back.

[bemildred]

1. Does seem to violate the reporters right to free association. nt