“Egypt cracks down after Israeli Embassy attack”

After the Israeli embassy in Cairo was attacked on Friday, the military led transitional government said it would impose a renewed emergency law, allowing extra-judicial detentions. Osama Heikal, Egyptian minister of media, said in a statement after a an emergency meeting with the military council, “Egypt is undergoing a real crisis that is threatening its internal and external security.”

The renewal of the emergency law marks a reversal for the military council, which promised to eliminate the 30 year old law. This also underlines the seriousness of the challenge facing the council as they struggle to restore order. The council often sought to avoid confrontation with protesters, with some exceptions, but this strategy clearly backfired on Friday with the attacks on the Israeli embassy.

Michael Birnbaum and Joel Greenberg of the Washington Post stated the incident ”underlined the altered relationship between Israel and post-revolutionary Egypt,” which has been tense over the years after ousted President Hosni Mubarak signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Officials in the Egyptian, Israeli, and American governments have expressed concern over the violence that erupted on Friday. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton talked with Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said she expressed”deep concern about the violence on Friday,” and welcomed statements by both Israeli and Egyptian officials that they are committed to peace.