Israeli media is reporting on comments by White House officials indicating that while it is US policy not to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood, the US “would not dictate the composition of the next Egyptian government.” According to a report in the Jerusalem Post:
The White House is seeking to reassure Jewish leaders concerned about the turmoil in Egypt, telling them in a conference call late Wednesday that US policy is not to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood. Many in the pro-Israel community have been concerned that the waning position of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his regime will empower the Muslim Brotherhood and are fearful that the US could contribute to its rise by viewing the Islamic group as a legitimate Egyptian political players On Monday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that “it is clear that increasing democratic representation has to include a whole host of important non-secular actors,” and since then US officials have given varying signs on their openness to seeing the Muslim Brotherhood take part in a coalition government. At the same time, the US has increased its calls for Mubarak to oversee a transition immediately, and for the installment of a widely representative democratic governance system. On a call to Jewish organizational officials, senior Middle East National Security Council adviser Dan Shapiro said US policy is not to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood, which has ties to Hamas, a US-designated terrorist organization, according to participants in the off-therecord call. But Shapiro also indicated that the US would not dictate the composition of the next Egyptian government.
It should be noted that the Muslim Brotherhood today has become a global network and that the Egyptian mother branch is not necessarily the most important part of the movement. Sheikh Youssef Qaradawi, close to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, is often referred to by the GMBDW as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to lead the Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide.
To see all GMBDW coverage of developments, go here.
For GMBDW coverage on the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, go here.