They created an enemy and then they wept

There is no doubt that the terrorist incident that claimed the lives of over 60 Egyptian soldiers and wounded dozens more touched the hearts of every citizen. However, if we put to one side for the moment all of the emotions and weeping promoted by the coup media, we can take a close look at Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. He wore a black tie and his eyes were filled with tears. He even said that he is willing to meet his Maker if necessary.

Al-Sisi’s actions mirrored the saying “he killed someone and then attended his funeral” perfectly. What will he say to his Creator? Will he say that his government sent those soldiers without any security cover and our great army, with all its might and capabilities, was unable to protect them from a few armed individuals because we no longer train our soldiers to fight, but to make profits for their officers? Will the president say that our soldiers are preoccupied with army-controlled economic projects that are generating billions of pounds instead of sacrificing their blood for the sake of our country?

Will he say that Egypt’s army is now stationed permanently in the streets rather than in its natural place on our national borders; that it is devoted to fighting its own brothers and sisters who are calling for nothing more than freedom and justice? Will he say that the army’s strategic doctrine has changed and its enemy is no longer the Israelis, but anyone who raises the flag of Islam and fights the occupation forces? Will Al-Sisi say that he ordered the judiciary to list the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, as a terrorist organisation after the same court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction less than a week ago? This ruling satisfied the Israelis and was a cause for celebration; Hamas has become Egypt’s archenemy.

What will Al-Sisi say to God? Will he say that he is following Israeli orders and bombed Sinai with Egyptian aircraft and cannons, killing innocent people, including the elderly, women and children? Will he say that he destroyed homes and mosques, burned down olive trees, and cleared local residents out of Egyptian Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid in order to protect Israel and allow it to sleep soundly?

Where is his shame? He has created an enemy with his own hands, and this alleged terrorism, which has been declared as such since the 2013 coup, is actually his doing because it is the only thing keeping him in power in Egypt. He is using this terrorism to gain the sympathy of the people, and their support, after so many in his circle have abandoned him. In the West, he claims to be fighting terrorism, just like them, so that he can ask them for help to eliminate the terrorists before they spread to Western countries.

Wasn’t it Al-Sisi who incited against the Muslims living in the West on the Prophet’s birthday, warning those countries against individuals coming from Muslim countries who turn into terrorists 20 years later and pose a threat? He even said that “it is not reasonable for 1.6 billion people to kill 6 billion people in order for them to live”; are these the words with which he will meet his Maker?

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.