BICOM

Egypt will begin its first parliamentary elections in decades today, despite a week of renewed protests and violence between protesters and the temporary military-ruled government. Since Saturday, 42 people have been killed and 2,000 wounded in clashes between protesters and the military. The protesters are calling for the SCAF (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) to hand over power to an interim civilian government over the duration of elections. The election process is expected to take several months, while Egyptians are skeptical over whether the voting will be free and fair. The army has promised to hold the elections and transfer power to civil rule by 1 July 2012.

Meanwhile, the army and leaders of the Islamist parties yesterday called on Egyptians to go out and vote. Hussein Tantawi, the Head of the ruling military council, said yesterday that the elections would not be postponed and that the military will ensure security at the polling booths. “We are at a crossroads. There are only two routes, the success of elections leading Egypt towards safety or facing dangerous hurdles that we in the armed forces, as part of the Egyptian people, will not allow,” Tantawi said. He also agreed to create a civilian council to advise the military during the transitional phase.

In Israel, there is concern on the one hand that the Muslim Brotherhood will come out victorious from elections and that relations between the countries will sour. On the other hand some in Israel are hoping that, following a careful transition to democracy, a stronger peace with Israel can be formed. As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Danny Ayalon said in an interview with Maariv today, Israel is “carefully following what is going on [in Egypt] with the hope that the Egyptian people will be able to build its future, a future of democracy and freedom, of thriving economy and peace with Israel.” Ayalon also added that peace between Israel and Egypt will remain intact because it remains in the interest of both countries.