Despite US President Joe Biden’s apparent intention to send a strong message to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi that his human rights abuses are unacceptable to a vibrant American-Egyptian alliance, the blowback the US president is experiencing is coming from his own side of the aisle. The administration has just announced that it is withholding some $130 million in promised aid to Egypt in recognition of its continued incarceration and abuse of more than 60,000 political dissenters, disagreeing NGOs and critical journalists. At issue is a $300 million waiver for military expenses from which $170 million in security-related expenses will be allowed to flow with the remaining funding frozen. Democratic criticism is being led by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) who argued that such a minor change to the overall aid package “sends the wrong message.” The Democrat’s Egypt Human Rights Caucus criticized President Biden, saying the intent of Congress was to withhold all $300 million unless el-Sisi releases his abusive grip.
Egyptian Human Rights Record Becomes US Political Territory
Posted By Michael Friedson On In Mideast Daily News
Sign Up for Mideast Daily News
Wake up to the Trusted Mideast News source
By subscribing, you agree to The Media Line terms of use and privacy policy.