What is your stance on Israel?

Christian Egyptians: What is your stance on the Palestine - Israel conflict?

• Here in Israel, we have many Christian Palestinians who remain rather neutral in regards to the constant fighting. However, Egypt has a significant Christian population (10% of the population), what is the average Coptic Christian view of it all? Is it a matter of religion or is it human rights (many people believe that Israel violates human rights in Palestine) that dictates your view? Do you even believe that there are human rights abuses in Palestine? Egypt and Israel, in spite of having "peace" agreements still remain enemies so there is no surprise that there are anti-Zionists but all in all, my question is what is your opinion on it all? I have only met very few Egyptian tourists in Tel Aviv so it's not like I am to bring up politics. Just curious.

• Answer:

  I am not Coptic, but most Egyptians, whether Muslims or Christians, have the same view on this issue. So expect to hear a similar answer from any Egyptian. Anyway, here's my own view: It's not a matter of Religion, and not a matter of human rights. Human rights get violated in many other countries and we don't really move to do anything about it. And yes, I believe there're human rights violations in Palestine. During the war in 2009, Israel used chemical weapons. Ones that contained white phosphorus to be exact. I hate Israel and view them as the enemy simply because since 1948 till now, Israel has been killing Arabs/Palestinians, destroying villages, stealing lands and building their own colonies on them. That's the simplest answer I could give to you.