David Welch - Controversy in Egypt

Controversy in Egypt

In Egypt, Sheikh Goma'a delivered a fatwa, an Islamic opinion issued by Islamic scholars, which states that anyone who detonates himself among Israelis is a martyr. David Welch, the United States ambassador to Egypt, stated that this fatwa was an attempt to justify and promote terrorism. He also formed a committee intended to inspect the Egyptian schools to remove curriculum that promote terrorism. Welch's statements aroused anti-US sentiments amongst Egyptians as Muslims believed that the United States ambassador had no authority to interfere in religious matters of foreign country. Egyptian media criticized him for describing Palestinians who carry out martyrdom operations against Israel as terrorists, labeling Hizbollah as a terrorist organization, and excluding Israel from countries required to disarm its nuclear weapons.

The ambassador criticized the process of editing, calling it "recklessness in checking the facts of serious matters." He criticized the Egyptian media by accusing Egyptian journalists of lacking precision and professionalism, and often fabricating and sensationalizing news. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Maher, in return, said that the Egyptian press is worth respect and the attack on the Egyptian press does not correspond with the principles of democracy and freedom of opinion promoted by America. He added that the Egyptian press is expressing independent opinions that might or might not be in accordance with the government’s policy.

He has also previously appeared on Egyptian television and confirmed that America would cut off its aid to Egypt because of the stand of the Egyptian judiciary toward the case of Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian liberalist and political activist. He has also attacked the Azhar and the Friday sermon that described the Jews as the "descendants of monkeys and pigs." He sent a message of objection to this sermon confirming that it creates a climate that is hostile to Jews and justifies terrorism. Welch has also sent a letter to the Minister of Culture requesting the safeguard of Jewish monuments after rumors spread that mosques would be built over those monuments.

Egyptian intellectuals sarcastically criticized him, stating that he acts like "the American High Commissioner in Egypt,” referring to the authority that the British High Commissioner once had during British occupation, as they considered his statements a severe interference in domestic issues.