Yesterday, the Egyptian government blocked playwright and satirist 'Ali Salem from entering Israel to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Ben-Gurion University.
Over the past five years, MEMRI has translated Salem's writings and interviews as part of the MEMRI Reform Project. Most recently, Salem appeared on Egypt's Dream 2 TV in a debate about normalization of relations with Israel in it, he stated, "The state of Israel exists. I think our [peace] treaty with it is one of the most noble agreements any Egyptian leader has ever signed." [To View this Clip from MEMRI TV visit http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=696 ]
The following are translations of 'Ali Salem's writings and interviews:
MEMRI TV Interviews
MEMRI TV Clip No. 696, "Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem Argues with Egyptian Nationalists over Visits to Israel," May 29, 2005, http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=696
MEMRI TV Clip No. 296, "Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem: The Arab World is Threatened by the Terror Groups, Not by Israel and the U.S.," October 18, 2004, http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=296
Special Dispatch Series
Special Dispatch No. 728, "Satirist Ali Salem to Arab League: There's Light at the End of the Tunnel," June 8, 2004,
Satirist Ali Salem to Arab League: There's Light at the End of the Tunnel
Special Dispatch No.645, "Renowned Egyptian Liberal Author and Playwright Ridicules Pan-Arab Nationalist Intellectuals," January 16, 2004,
Renowned Egyptian Liberal Author and Playwright Ridicules Pan-Arab Nationalist Intellectuals
Special Dispatch No. 622, "Leading Egyptian Liberal Ali Salem on the Struggle of Arab Intellectuals for Freedom," December 5, 2003,
Leading Egyptian Liberal Ali Salem on the Struggle of Arab Intellectuals for Freedom
Special Dispatch No. 412, "Liberal Arab Intellectuals on Their Governments' Information Campaign Plans," August 16, 2002,
Liberal Arab Intellectuals on Their Governments' Information Campaign Plans
Special Dispatch No. 215, "The Parrots -- The Enemies of Peace Between Egypt and Israel'; An Egyptian Intellectual in Praise of Peace with Israel," May 7, 2001, 'The Parrots -- The Enemies of Peace Between Egypt and Israel'; An Egyptian Intellectual in Praise of Peace with Israel
Special Dispatch No.298, "Egyptian Satirist Playwright Ali Salem: 'I Want to Start a Kindergarten for Extremism," November 8, 2001,
Special Dispatch No.145, "Egyptian Peace Activist on Intifada," October 31, 2000, Egyptian Peace Activist on Intifada
