Brotherhood denies Egyptian Jews invitation

The spokesperson of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mahmoud Ghozlan, has distanced himself and the organisation from the recent invitation issued by Brotherhood leader Essam el-Erian for Egyptian Jews to return to Egypt. Ghozlan said el-Erian’s statements "express his personal opinion and do not reflect the Muslim Brotherhood’s position." In a statement to the press, Ghozlan described Egyptian Jews as "criminals" who deserve punishment for what they did to Egyptians and Palestinians. "The Egyptian Jews have become Israelis who torment the Palestinians,” the spokesperson said, adding that “the timing is inappropriate and Egypt is not ready for such stances.” Earlier, in a television interview, el-Erian issued an open invitation to Jewish people who had left Egypt for Israel to return, saying that Egypt was a better option for them than "a state tarnished with occupation." Their return, he said, would also create room for Palestinians.