Al-Hayat
New Egypt Defense Minister Phones Ehud Barak: Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi Calls Israeli Minister
According to reports by the pan-Arabic daily newspaper Al-Hayat, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak received a phone call from the newly appointed Egyptian Defense minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, in order to discuss the ties between the two countries, which share borders and a peace treaty. This would be the first time the two ministers speak to each other ever since the current Egyptian government has been formed, following the toppling of Hosni Mubarak’s former Egyptian regime in the Arab Spring of 2011. The Egyptian minister apparently reassured his Israeli counterpart of Egypt’s commitment to the peace treaty between the two states. This conversation comes following the terrorist attack which took place a few weeks ago, in which extremists shot dead several Egyptian patrol guards and barged Egypt’s border with Israel. Since then, Egyptian authorities deployed forces into the Sinai Peninsula, potentially causing tension with Israel, seeing as according to the 1979 peace treaty, the region of Sinai must remain demilitarized. With political changes on the ground in Egypt, with the Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi voted into government, many feared that the delicate peace between Israel and Egypt would not last for long. And for this exact reason, it was reported that the conversation between the two defense ministers took place. Additionally, three weeks after it was closed down due to the deliberate violence in the region, the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and the …
Egypt's Celebrity Kidnapping TV Show 'Comedy': Ramz 'Desert Fox' Jalal Plays a Convincing Terrorist
While lawlessness and an increase in the number of kidnappings in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula have prompted international concern for the safety of travelers, an Egyptian comedian is using the problem to boost television ratings during Ramadan. Egyptian TV network Al-Hayat is airing a show called “Ramz, The Desert Fox,” in which prankster Ramz Jalal tricks celebrities into thinking they’ve been kidnapped by terrorists while travelling through the Sinai. Arab celebrities are told they’re participating in a show to help promote Egypt’s tourism industry, which has taken a hit since last year’s revolution. The stars are taken by a bus loaded with foreigners and told they’re on their way to meet a famous Egyptian actor. But soon after reaching the desert, Jalal’s crew pulls up, decked out in head coverings and wielding guns. Shots ring out. The other passengers, who are in on the prank, scream in staged horror. A man with a portable mortar launcher then blows out the bus’ windows. The celebrity is blindfolded and taken from the bus while the crew stages a fake gun battle. Then the blindfold comes off and the celebrity realizes it was all prank. Jalal then spends several minutes trying to calm the victim down. While the show has become an instant hit in Egypt, not everyone is laughing. Some viewers have said the premise is too extreme, and Islamists have protested against such shows, saying the pranks are harmful and go against Islamic teachings. It’s no surprise that the show hits …