A number of Egyptian scholars and press editors have expressed their astonishment and resentment because the Israeli Ambassador to Cairo, Zefi Mirael, invited them to attend the embassy’s party on the 53rd anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.
The London-based Asharq Al Awsat has said that the Egyptian scholars have been particularly angry about the hand-delivered invitation this year because it has come at the time of increasing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and other Syrian and Lebanese sites, and Israel’s continuous threats of war.
The invitees considered the invitations as “strange and illogical,” particularly the unusual way in which they were delivered, the paper said. The invitations were not sent by regular mail, but were delivered by hand by the Israeli Embassy messenger who handed over each invitation after he obtained the signature of each invitee to ensure that he received it personally.
A number of writers and journalists refused the invitation. Columnist Hoson Shah has described the invitation as impudent and said, “ I cannot imagine anybody accepting it.”
Another journalist, Salah Issa, was quoted as saying that “I doubt it if any one would go to this party. Such an invitation is rejected at the public level and even at the official level.” While Zahi Hawwas, the renowned writer and archeologist told the paper that “the State of Israel was founded on delusions, so how can we accept such an invitation to celebrate the establishment of Israel which we reject.” – Albawaba.com
