Israeli Right-wing Might Strengthen in Early Election
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might come out stronger from the early elections he called a few days ago, claiming the “impossibility of having the budget approved”, according to a survey published on Thursday.
Netanyahu’s Likud coalition would win two seats, from 27 to 29; his allies from the Labor Party would win 17, and the Yech Atid party, also included in the government, would win 17, according to the results of a survey carried out by the newspaper Maariv.
All 63 seats would be a majority, although with a narrow margin, enough to set up a government, as the Knesset has 120 members elected for a four-year term.
Asked about the possibility of continuing the alliance with the right-wing Likud (The Consolidation) and the social-democratic Labor members of Parliament, the president of Labor Party, Shelly Yacimovich, said, “The differences between the (Israeli) left and right are a thing from the past”.
According to the survey, the worst-placed political organization is the Independence Party, led by incumbent Defense Minister Ehud Barack, which might fail to be represented in Parliament.
The early election is scheduled for early 2013 and its results may have a decisive influence on the course of developments in the Middle East, due to what analysts call Netanyahu’s “obsession” with Iran, a country against which he plans to launch a military attack.
A domestic issue also hovers ominously over a government led by the Likud coalition: social unrest due to the prevailing economic conditions in the country, which has led to popular protests over the past few months.
Egypt Reopens Pyramid and Tombs to Boost Tourism
Egyptian authorities reopened the pyramid of Pharaoh Khafre and six tombs of courtiers from Pharonic Egypt on Thursday, 4,500 years after their construction, with an eye toward the upcoming tourist season.
Unlike inland states, Egypt considers winter its high season due to the drop in temperatures that makes touring the archaeological sites more pleasant, as the sun and heat are less harsh.
The reopening of the tombs was preceded by a press conference in which the state Minister for Antiquities, Mohamed Ibrahim, announced that this is the first of several similar actions designed to revive the ailing tourism industry, one of the main sources of income for this country.
Archaeologists estimate that Khafre ruled Egypt for six decades around 2521 BC and that his rule was characterized by an impoverished country, though others refute the view and point to the erection of his pyramid and that of the Great Sphinx, now known as Abu el Hol or Father of Fear.
Pakistani Clerics Term Attack on Girl Un-Islamic
A group of Pakistani religious scholars Thursday declared as un-Islamic Taliban’s attack on children’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai.
A total of 50 Sunni scholars issued a “fatwa” or religious decree in the eastern city of Lahore which said that the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam was incorrect and was deviant from the actual interpretation of the Islamic Shariah.
The edict said that Taliban were misguided and their mindset was driven by ignorance.
The Islamic ruling also said the United States is the enemy of Islam and Pakistan, and any kind of cooperation with the U.S. is not in compliance with the Shariah.
In response to Taliban’s interpretation of killing females for the greater good of the religion, the scholars said that Islam discourages killing of the females.
The assassination attempt on the life of the young National Peace Award winner has prompted widespread condemnation from the government, political parties and civil society groups, terming it a bid to silent voice for peace and education.
Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack and said Malala had been involved in what they called anti-Islam and anti-Taliban campaign.