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Egypt Does Not Share Pan-arabic Dreams, Envoy from Pharaoh Land States

November 3, 1924
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The Arabs of Egypt, both Moslem and Christian, are not concerned with the scheme for the creation of a Pan-Arabic Union. It is a thing apart from their own country and there is not the remotest possibility of Egypt asking for inclusion in such a federation. Egypt has a distinct history of its own and its future will be Egyptian. Its inhabitants have only an objective interest in the activities of other members of the Arab race, stated Yonsry Pasha, Egyptian Minister to the United States in an interview with the representative of the Jewish Daily Bulletin.

“A feeling of well-being prevails among Egyptian Jewry. I can say that there are hardly any Jewish inhabitants in Egypt who are in need,” he stated. There are a great number of Jews in Egypt who occupy prominent positions in the industry and commerce of the country. Those who are not so well situated engage in the smaller trades and business. They live in separate parts of the cities. This segregation, which dates back centuries, is voluntary because they find it most convenient for them.

The Egyptian Jews also take an active part in politics of the country. Some of the members of the Jewish community occupy high governmental positions. Their largest field of activity, however, is in the economic rather than the political life of the country. The Rollos and Soires occupy positions in Egypt similar to that of the Rothschild family in Europe. Many are also active in philanthropic activities, although there is no separate Jewish philanthropic organization.

“The Jews in Egypt are happier than in any part of the world and I give you this as a statement I received from them”, the Pasha concluded.

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