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Morsi backtracks on ‘Zionists are pigs’ remark

EGYPT’S Islamist president on Wednesday tried to distance himself from a previous remark that “Zionists are pigs and bloodsuckers”. Mohamed Morsi told visiting US senators that the quote had been taken out of context. The words were aimed at criticising Israeli policies and not Jews, according to his spokesman Yasser Ali. A video revealing Morsi’s inflammatory outburst surfaced this week. It showed him urging Egyptians to “nurse our children and our grandchildren on hatred” for Jews and Zionists. And in a television interview months later, he described Zionists as “these bloodsuckers who attack the Palestinians, these warmongers, the descendants of apes and pigs”. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that the language Morsi had used was “deeply offensive” and running against Middle East peace efforts. Egypt receives around £900 million a year in US military and economic aid. The financial support is linked to Cairo’s peace treaty with Israel, which the US considers a cornerstone of regional stability. However, both sides appear to want to get beyond the flap – Morsi needs America’s help in repairing a rapidly sliding economy, and Washington can’t afford to shun a figure who has emerged as a model of an Islamist leader who maintains his country’s ties with Israel. US senator John McCain said a congressional delegation visiting Egypt had told Morsi of their “strong disapproval” about his comments. Morsi told them distinction must be made between criticism of what he called the “racist” policies of the Israelis against the Palestinians and insults against the Jewish faith. The president explained that the remarks were part of a speech against Israeli aggression in Gaza and assured the US visitors of “his respect for monotheistic religions, freedom of belief and the practise of religions”.

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