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Egyptians in ‘Uproar’ over Film Documenting History and Persecution of the Nation’s Jews

Oct. 11, 2012 12:32pm Sharona Schwartz

Egyptians in Uproar over Film Documenting History of the Nation’s Jews

From the film "Jews of Egypt"

A documentary film about a bygone era screened at a film festival seems like an innocent enough proposition. Throw in the subject of the Jews, the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s relations with Israel and a controversy is bound to ensue. That’s what happened in Cairo this week after the film “Jews of Egypt” was screened, which Al Arabiya reports led to an “uproar.”

The film examines – in the words of Variety – “one of the darkest chapters in modern Egyptian history,” that is, the persecution and eventual migration of the Jews from Egypt. Of the 75,000 who lived there before 1948, fewer than 100 reside in Egypt today.

Al Arabiya reports on the backlash after the film was screened:

Amir Ramsis, director of the film, was accused of promoting normalization of ties with Israel through attempting to gain the audience’s sympathy for Jewish Egyptians, currently seen as Zionists by many Egyptians.

“Those accusations are absolutely groundless,” Ramsis told Al Arabiya. “Those who think the film promotes normalization either did not watch it or analyzed it very superficially.”

It is very obvious, Ramsis explained, that the documentary is against Israel and against normalization.

“The film showed how Jewish Egyptians were against the creation of Israel before the July 23, 1952 Revolution and that many Egyptian anti-Israeli institutions were actually led by Egyptian Jews.”

The film’s director said he aimed to erase negative stereotypes many Egyptians hold regarding Jews. He said, “Many people do not distinguish between being Jewish and being Israeli or Zionist. Many Egyptians automatically consider Jews enemies.”

Though the film is historical, its theme of how minorities are treated in Egypt is playing out again today. Muslim Brotherhood leaders have at times trumpeted anti-Semitic pronouncements, including vowing “one day we shall kill all the Jews.” Another minority is even more worried today. Since the “Arab Spring,” Egypt’s Coptic Christians have been living in fear. Coptic Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt’s population, and those who can afford to have steadily been emigrating since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down from power.

Variety Arabia’s Joseph Fahim writes:

The xenophobia that both the media and political leaders instilled into Egyptian society echoes with the same wave of chauvinism spread during and after Egypt’s January25 [2011] Revolution by the same agents. History repeats itself, and the viewer gets the impression that the fate of Jews could strike any minority group surviving in a non-democratic country.

Even though Fahim wrote his review before the film was screened at the festival and the “uproar” occurred, he may as well have been writing about those reacting to the film: “What we’re left with is a shameful history and a cautionary tale of a country ravaged by fascism, a self-righteous nation that continues to drown in the bottomless oceans of intolerance.”

Watch the trailer for Jews of Egypt with English subtitles here:

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Comments (47)

stealthman
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 3:59pm
A pro-Jewish film made by an Egyptian named Ramses (excuse the change in one vowel, but there are no real vowels in Arabic). Where is Yul Brynner when you need him! Let My People Go! Wait a second. They have already fled…..to Israel.

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- db321
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:27pm
  That’s right – next step in the Bible is for the whole World to come against Israel. The whole world, that would mean that America would also have to turn it’s back on Israel? God for give me, but America would never vote for a President that would turn it’s back on Israel. Would it?
  
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- jwt
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:00pm
  the arm of flesh against the spiritual arm??
  
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jman-6
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 3:18pm
WOW!! The guy who wrote the review actually called islam what it is….fascism! Finally one of there own with a glimpse of intellectual honesty! Won’t hold by breath for anyone else to follow suit.

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- Touche Turtle
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 4:47pm
  Boy, there are just too many videos these days that are disrespecting Allah and the Muslims in general. Can’t tell history the way it really is because we can’t risk “offending” someone by telling the truth!
  
  Wait for it!!! The United Nations wants to pass an INTERNATIONAL LAW stating specifically that it is punishable to besmirch Allah, the Koran or the Muslim religion! Americans better be watching very closely because our current administration is IN FAVOR of doing just that! And you can say “goodbye” to your First Amendment right!
  
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RevRiles
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 2:44pm
Give us more of your money and we will rape more of your women (Kinda harsh, but the facts is facts) What democracy would do this? Arab Spring will lead to an Arab fall…

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NobleDar
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:44pm
There is a big part of the story missing. The Egyptian Jews were the slaves, escaping to freedom from the rape, murder and brutallity of the evil so prevelant in the middle east. Again the mind of the ignorant displays the intollerance of muslims.
My ancestors have been traced back to BC and the family of Judas and Cleopatra. On another branch of the family tree I have a grandfather arrive with the Mayflower group and settle this great country. It all comes to one simple fact. I am American and I love America!

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term limits for congress
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:32pm
Wow. Those Egyptians sure aren’t very politically correct. Where is the Affirmative Action for Jews in Egypt? I hope this doesn’t stir the 100 Egyptian Jews into a violent mob.

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lynda1276
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:26pm
omg!! not another film…

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Meyvn1
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:25pm
Here we go… Is this gonna be yet another movie to get the animals all stirred up again? The truth hurts. Change if you can’t handle the truth!

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StandingOnMyHead
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:21pm
The fact is sometimes the truth hurts and these people can’t handle the truth, ever!

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mapgirl10
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:15pm
Cruel race and religion without any doubt. Sorry for the people they have tortured and kill and beheaded in the name of an evil god.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:15pm
Muslims are 7th century cult with mideival ideas and money to buy modern weapons. They are like 10 year old spoiled brats with AK’s. They are emotionally children.

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- paperpushermj
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 8:27pm
  And that’s the men.
  
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woodyee
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:14pm
Yet another movie? Must be that the State Department is expecting another round of attacks on our embassies, so they’re pulling back our troops and allowing local militias to act as security…again.

“The Muslim world has been purportedly reacting over a movie called “The Innocence of Muslims” which is about how the prophet Mohammed was a violent de_generate [poop chute]…so a bunch of Muslims decided to act like violent de_generate [poop chutes] to prove the movie wrong.” ~ unknown

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zoro51
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:12pm
whaaa whaaa whaaaa we lost the hebrews back in upmten B.C. now we must make them pay for it.. STUPID MURDERING JMUSUMS still worshiping FALSE STONE IDOL GODS.. when will you EVER learn…. so sensitive over a DEAM false prophet.. YURE IN A MAN MADE CULT OF HATE N DEATH…

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AmericanStrega
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:02pm
The United States of America needs to cut ALL funding to these countries. Why is the USA promoting these people? They HATE us. They HATE Israel. They HATE anyone who doesn’t conform to Islam and it’s quest for complete control. Why, oh why, are we funding these people who HATE us?
This may be the answer:

(Kid asks:)”Mr. Owl. How many licks does it take to reach the center of a Tootsie-Roll-Tootsie Pop?” (Mr. Owl respondes while licking said sucker): “The world may never know.”

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- roselee71
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 5:03pm
  you have heard the statement follow the money when those at the top are in agreement with the leaders of those haters of america they keep making sure the money keeps flowing clean house get out and vote.
  
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1RealAmerican
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:02pm
Gonna send these idiots a copy of the song “Get over it” by the Eagles – tired of hearing them whine and bitch like little girls everytime something offends them……

Just sayin………

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momrules
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:00pm
They hate Jews, period. No distinctions, just hatred. The same hatred is aimed at Christians and those of any other faith except Islam.

I really do wonder how the Muslims will react to Zero Dark Thirty.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:29pm
  They often attempt to cover up their bigotry with cries of Zionism, and we only hate Israel the country. It’s a politically correct ruse as they use blood libel, and snippets of the Elders of Zion BS, and distorted or selected false histories to back up their bigotry. Ultimately, their religious teachings center quite a bit around the murder and hatred of others. Islamic culture is a dark violent society without liberty or light. The only thing that binds them to the leftists and gains their blind eye, is their common hatred of the west, liberty, capitalism, and Jews.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:53pm
Now will Obama condemn this film and support the Muslim Brotherhood once more, along with the other extremists? Yes.

He will blame America, Republicans, Christians, and Israel.

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sdh100
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:52pm
Its amazing that there are more arabs in the state of Israel than Jews in the whole arab world. There used to be 100′s of Thousands if not Million s until about 50 years ago and all we hear is about how Israel is oppressive??!!!

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Karama
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:50pm
I wonder if they will blame the next embassy attack on this video?

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RightUnite
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:45pm
Ok, heeeeere weeee gooooo agaaaaiiiinnnnnn!!! I wonder how many Americans will die “Due to this film”??

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Tri-ox
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:43pm
Here we go again … time for more excuses and apologies from obama and more dead Americans at the hands of obama’s muslim comrades …

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kaydeebeau
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:42pm
So what is it exactly that the arabs / islamists don’t get in an uproar over?

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- Exidor
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:44pm
  Thank you!
  
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- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:13pm
  well if you had to wipe yourself with a stone you would not be in a good mood either.
  
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Individualism
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:42pm
Rand Paul wanted to take their aid away but Neo Cons like John Mccain and Lindsey Grahamand Neo Libs like Joe Manchin and Obama still want them to have their foreign aid. so again who is anti Israel, the exporters of terror giving them foreign aid.

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- Fubared
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:14pm
  No hable weed-speak. What did you just try to say Windy?
  
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- Individualism
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:42pm
  Fubared sticks up for his fellow terrorist supporting neo cons.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:58pm
  No not that typical windy speak. The garbled bong laced crap above. What was the actual gyst of your comment?
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 5:42pm
  Back to stems and seeds? You had a lucid moment earlier in the day. Center Windy. Breath. Imagine dandilions, butter cups, and shaving Johnson’s back with mood candles and cool jazz in the background… Ok? What was the neo, anti, export, aid, terror crap? Use punctuation, and remember the run on sentence thingy. Go ahead . . .
  
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AvengerK
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:39pm
Ah those perpetually outraged muslims again…..

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AvengerK
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:38pm
They’re offended because it doesn’t go far enough….

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Gonzo
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:36pm
Let me guess… it’s America’s fault, death to America?

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- MrButcher
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:44pm
  Another video deserving of a Presidential review and rebuke.
  
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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:45pm
  Throw cold water on a muslim in the the middle of the night, he wakes up saying that.
  
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- Cavallo
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 1:45pm
  I wonder if they’ll blame the assassination of our security chief in Yemen on this movie?
  
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