Revolutionary Socialists (Egypt)

"Revolutionary Socialists" redirects here. For other parties, see Revolutionary Socialist Party (disambiguation). For the political ideology, see Revolutionary socialism.

Political party in Egypt

Revolutionary Socialists

الاشتراكيون الثوريون
al-ištirākiyyūn aṯ-ṯawriyyūn

Leader| Collective leadership
Founded| 1995
Headquarters| Center for Socialist Studies, 7 Mourad Street, Giza Square, Giza, Egypt
Newspaper| The Socialist
Ideology| Revolutionary socialism[1]
Trotskyism[1]
Feminism[2]
Political position| Far-left
Website
http://revsoc.me/

* Politics of Egypt
* Political parties
* Elections

The Revolutionary Socialists (Arabic: الاشتراكيون الثوريون; Egyptian Arabic: [elʔeʃteɾˤɑkejˈjiːn essæwɾejˈjiːn]) (RS) are a Trotskyist organisation in Egypt originating in the tradition of 'Socialism from Below'. Leading RS members include sociologist Sameh Naguib.[3][4] The organisation produces a newspaper called The Socialist.

## History

[edit]

The group began in the late 1980s among small circles of students influenced by Trotskyism. Adopting the current name by April 1995, the RS grew from a few active members, when the Egyptian left was very much underground,[5] to a couple of hundred by the Second Palestinian Intifada. Despite not being able to freely organise under President Hosni Mubarak,[6][7] the group's membership still increased due to their participation in the Palestinian solidarity movement. The intifada was seen to have a radicalising effect on Egyptian youth, which in turn helped to re-establish grassroots activism, which had long been repressed under the Mubarak regime.[8]

The RS' relationship with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood is also distinct from earlier leftist organisations in Egypt which held similar positions to that of the Egyptian Communist Party, which generally equated Islamism with fascism. The RS however, advanced the slogan "Sometimes with the Islamists, never with the state". The slogan was coined by Chris Harman of the Socialist Workers Party of Britain, in his book, The Prophet and the Proletariat,[9] which was translated into Arabic, and widely distributed by the RS in 1997. The RS has thus been able to campaign alongside the Brotherhood at times, for example, during the pro-intifada and anti-war movements.[10]

## Egyptian Revolution of 2011

[edit]

Main article: Egyptian Revolution of 2011

According to Mark LeVine, a professor of history at the University of California, the RS "played a crucial role organising Tahrir (during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011) and now in the workers movement" post-President Hosni Mubarak.[11]

The RS claims to have, along with the rest of the Egyptian far-left and the April 6 Youth Movement, played a key role in mobilising for 25 January 2011, marking the first day of the Egyptian Revolution. The various forces previously met and developed strategies, such as demonstrating in different parts of Cairo simultaneously, before marching on Tahrir Square, to avoid a concentration of security forces.[3]

The RS later issued a statement calling on Egyptian workers to instigate a general strike in the hope of finally ousting Mubarak:

> The regime can afford to wait out the sit-ins and demonstrations for days and weeks, but it cannot last beyond a few hours if workers use strikes as a weapon. Strike on the railways, on public transport, the airports and large industrial companies! Egyptian workers, on behalf of the rebellious youth and on behalf of the blood of our martyrs, join the ranks of the revolution, use your power and victory will be ours!

>     Glory to the martyrs!
>     Down with the system!
>     All power to the people!
>     Victory to the revolution!

[12]

## Post-Mubarak

[edit]

In the aftermath of Mubarak's resignation as president, the RS is calling for permanent revolution.[13] On May Day 2011, they chanted "A workers’ revolution against the capitalist government", while marching to Tahrir Square.[14] They argue that the working class, particularly of Cairo, Alexandria and Mansoura were the key players in ousting Mubarak, rather than the Egyptian youths' use of social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, as has been widely reported.[15] The RS sees the role of the Muslim Brotherhood post-Mubarak as "counter-revolutionary".[16]

In March 2011, RS activist and journalist Hossam el-Hamalawy was among many protesters who stormed and seized offices of the State Security Investigations Service in Nasr City. The building had been used prior to the revolution to detain and torture many activists. El-Hamalawy was able to visit the cell where he had been imprisoned, later writing on his Twitter feed that he could not stop crying.[17][18]

The RS calls for the dismantling of the ruling Military Council, the army and police force, and for Mubarak and his former regime, including Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and Sami Hafez Anan, (who currently form part of the Military Council) to stand trial.[19] They oppose the decree-law that criminalises strikes, protests, demonstrations and sit-ins imposed by the council on 24 March 2011.[20]

In July 2013, following the military coup against President Morsi, members of the Revolutionary Socialists participated in the Third Square, a movement created by liberal, leftist and moderate Islamist activists who reject both Muslim Brotherhood and military rule.[21]

On 23 August 2013, the Revolutionary Socialists organised a demonstration at the High Court in Cairo, in protest against the release of former president Hosni Mubarak from prison.[22] In a statement, they criticised that Mubarak had been acquitted from most of the charges against him, while the judiciary had no trouble issuing sentences against revolutionaries.[23]

The Revolutionary Socialists joined with other movements in rejecting, opposing, and protesting against an anti-protest law passed by the Egyptian transitional government in 2013.[24]

RS members, such as Haitham Mohamedain, participated in the founding of the Road of the Revolution Front organization and the Revolutionary Socialist movement been an important component of the Front.[25]

The Revolutionary Socialists opposed the Egyptian Constitution of 2014 on the grounds that it would entrench military dominance of the political and judicial systems, solidify and perpetuate military trials of civilians, as well as provide inadequate protection for freedoms and labor rights.[26][27]

## Positions on international issues

[edit]

In 2006, Sameh Naguib \- a leading RS member - labeled Hezbollah's conflict with Israel in the 2006 Lebanon War "a very important victory for the anti-war movement worldwide", claiming it prevented or delayed US and Israeli plans to attack Iran and Syria.[28]

On 2 March 2011, during the US Wisconsin budget protests, the RS sent a message of solidarity to the US International Socialist Organization, urging them to build "a revolutionary socialist alternative" against "Zionism and imperialism".[29]

The RS were amongst many socialists who condemned the Robert Mugabe regime of Zimbabwe for arresting and torturing activists, amongst who were members of Zimbabwe's International Socialist Organisation, for hosting a meeting discussing the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. They said "[t]he masses in Tunisia and Egypt have proven that no matter how long autocratic regimes last, the revolution's earthquake can break the walls and dams. Be sure that the earthquake is coming and that Mugabe will fall--".[30]

On 20 March 2011, during the Libyan uprising, the RS condemned the UN Security Council, the European Union and the Obama administration on their decision to implement a no-fly zone and foreign military intervention in Libya as "part of the counter-revolution". They accused them of remaining silent "for decades while Gaddafi, and his like among the Arab regimes, suppressed their people with the utmost brutality and piled up wealth... so long as these regimes implemented the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund for the abolition of any social support for the poor... as long as companies kept open their doors to global capitalism...".[31]

## See also

[edit]

* Socialism
* Marxism
* Trotskyism
* List of Trotskyist internationals
* Tony Cliff
* Workers' council

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Revolutionary Socialists (Egypt) | Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal".
2. ^ "الاشتراكيون الثوريون - معاً لوقف التحرش والاعتداء على نساء مصر". الحوار المتمدن.
3. ^ a b "Conversation with an Egyptian socialist". Socialist Worker (US). 23 February 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
4. ^ Levinson, Charles (18 February 2011). "Splits Emerge Among Egypt's Young Activists". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
5. ^ "What's left of Egypt's Left". Al-Masry Al-Youm. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
6. ^ "Egyptian revolutionary: 'We are changed forever'". Socialist Worker (Britain). Socialist Worker (UK). 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
7. ^ "Egyptian socialists: 'This won't stop at Mubarak'". Socialist Worker (Britain). Socialist Worker (UK). 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
8. ^ "Revolutionary Socialists (Egypt)". Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
9. ^ "The prophet and the proletariat". REDS – Die Roten. 1994. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
10. ^ "Comrades and Brothers". Middle East Report. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
11. ^ "Breathless in Egypt". Al Jazeera. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
12. ^ "A call from Egyptian socialists". Socialist Worker (US). 7 February 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
13. ^ "Making the revolution permanent". Socialist Worker (US). 15 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
14. ^ "Egypt's May Day celebrations end on sour note". Ahram Online. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
15. ^ "Egypt's spreading strikes". Socialist Worker (US). 18 February 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
16. ^ "Interview with Hisham Fouad from Revolutionary Socialists of Egypt". Socialist Worker (Ireland). 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
17. ^ Stack, Liam; MacFarquhar, Neil (9 March 2011). "Egyptians Get View of Extent of Spying". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
18. ^ "A first step towards prosecutions?". Al Jazeera. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
19. ^ "Egyptian socialists on the state attacks on protesters in Tahrir Square". Socialist Worker (Britain). Socialist Worker (UK). 10 April 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
20. ^ "Egypt protests against anti-protest law". Ahram Online. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
21. ^ "Between Tahrir and Rabaa: The Third Square". Al Jazeera English. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
22. ^ "Mubarak's release angers many". Daily News Egypt. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
23. ^ "وقفة احتجاجية ضد الإفراج عن السفاح مبارك". Revolutionary Socialists Facebook page. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
24. ^ "Thousands demonstrate against Protest Law". ahram online. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
25. ^ "New anti-military, anti-Brotherhood front to be launched Tuesday". ahram online. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
26. ^ "Revolutionary Socialists call for "no" vote on constitution". Aswat Masriya. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
27. ^ "Way of the Revolution Front to vote no to constitution". ahram online. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
28. ^ "Sameh Naguib in Egypt: 'Israel's defeat has transformed the region'". Socialist Worker (Britain). Socialist Worker (UK). 26 August 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
29. ^ "Solidarity message from Egyptian socialists". Socialist Worker (US). 2 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
30. ^ "Mugabe regime feels pressure". Socialist Worker (US). 29 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
31. ^ "Egyptian socialists on Libya, foreign intervention and counter-revolution". Socialist Worker (Britain). Socialist Worker (UK). 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

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Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)

Part of the Arab Spring and Arab Winter

Timeline|

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Alexandria|

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Mubarak
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Tantawi
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| Armed Forces|

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Morsi
government|

| Presidency|

* Mohamed Morsi (President)
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Cabinet|

* Hesham Qandil (Prime Minister, Cabinet)
* Mohamed Kamel Amr (Foreign Minister)
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FJP figures|

* Khairat el-Shater
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Opposition groups|

* Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution
* We are all Khaled Said
* April 6 Youth Movement
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Opposition figures|

* Mohamed ElBaradei
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* Bothaina Kamel
* George Ishak
* Khaled Ali
* Kamal Khalil
* Kamal Abbas
* Ayman Nour
* Sameh Naguib
* Hisham Bastawisy

Activists|

* Wael Ghonim
* Gigi Ibrahim
* Mahmoud Badr
* Ahmed Maher
* Hossam el-Hamalawy
* Wael Khalil
* Wael Abbas
* Nawara Negm
* Alaa Abd El-Fattah
* Mona Seif
* Asmaa Mahfouz
* Israa Abdel Fattah
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Arab Spring

"Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam"

Events by country|

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* Yemen: Alliance of Yemeni Tribes
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Notable people|

* Women in the Arab Spring

* Algeria: Abdelaziz Bouteflika
* Ahmed Ouyahia

* Bahrain: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
* Hasan Mushaima
* Ali Salman
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* Egypt: Hosni Mubarak
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* Ahmed Nazif
* Ahmed Shafik
* Wael Ghonim
* Kamal Ganzouri
* Khaled Mohamed Saeed
* Essam Sharaf
* Mohamed ElBaradei
* Mohamed Morsi
* Hesham Qandil
* Bassem Youssef

* Jordan: King Abdullah II
* Marouf al-Bakhit
* Samir Rifai

* Libya: Muammar Gaddafi
* Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
* Mustafa Abdul-Jelil
* Mahmud Gebril
* Mohammed Nabbous

* Mauritania: Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
* Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf

* Morocco: Mohammed VI
* Abbas El Fassi

* Saudi Arabia: Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
* Khaled al-Johani
* Manal al-Sharif
* Nimr al-Nimr

* Sudan: Omar al-Bashir
* Hassan al-Turabi

* Syria: Bashar al-Assad
* Muhammad Naji al-Otari
* Adel Safar
* Riyad Farid Hijab
* Wael Nader al-Halqi
* Maher al-Assad
* Burhan Ghalioun
* Moaz al-Khatib
* Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb

* Tunisia: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
* Mohamed Ghannouchi
* Moncef Marzouki
* Rashid al-Ghannushi
* Fouad Mebazaa
* Beji Caid Essebsi
* Hamadi Jebali
* Mohamed Bouazizi
* Chokri Belaid

* United Arab Emirates:
* UAE Five

* Yemen: Ali Abdullah Saleh
* Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi
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Role of the Internet|

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Impact|

* Occupy movement
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UN Resolutions|

* 65/265
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International reactions|

* Bahrain
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Domestic reactions|

* Egypt
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Timelines by country|

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Political parties in Egypt

House of Representatives|

* Free Egyptians Party (65)
* Nation's Future Party (53)
* New Wafd Party (36)
* Homeland Defenders Party (18)
* Republican People's Party (13)
* Congress Party (12)
* Nour Party (11)
* Conservative Party (6)
* Democratic Peace Party (5)
* Social Democratic Party (4)
* Patriotic Movement (4)
* Modern Egypt Party (4)
* Reform and Development Party (3)
* Freedom Party (3)
* My Homeland Egypt Party (3)
* Tagammu Party (2)
* Nasserist Party (1)
* Revolutionary Guards Party (1)
* Free Egyptian Building Party (1)

Active political parties|

* Egyptian Alliance Party
* Al-Ansar Party
* Arab Party for Justice and Equality
* Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Egypt Region
* Arab Unification Party
* Arabic Popular Movement
* Arabism Egypt Party
* Authenticity Party
* Beginning Party
* Bread and Freedom Party
* Building and Development Party
* Change and Development Party
* Egyptian Citizen Party
* Egyptian Communist Party
* Civilization Party
* Consciousness Party
* Constitution Party
* Democratic Generation Party
* Democratic Union Party
* Development Party
* Dignity Party
* Egypt Party
* Egypt Renaissance Party
* Egyptian Arab Socialist Party
* Egyptian Revolution Party
* Equality and Development Party
* Free Egypt Party
* Free Republican Party
* Free Social Constitutional Party
* Freedom Egypt Party
* Freedom and Justice Party
* Ghad Party
* Ghad El-Thawra Party
* Egyptian Green Party
* Haya Party
* Homeland Party
* Egyptian Hope Party
* Human Rights and Citizenship Party
* New Independent Party
* Independence Party
* Islamic Party
* Islamic Labour Party
* Justice Party
* Knights of Egypt Party
* Egyptian Liberation Party
* New Labour Party
* Liberal Constitutional Party
* Life of the Egyptians Party
* National Bloc
* National Party
* National Conciliation Party
* Nubian Nile Party
* People's Democratic Party
* People Party
* Pioneer Party
* Popular Current Party
* Quiver Party
* Egyptian Reform Party
* Reform and Renaissance Party
* Renaissance Party
* Revolution Egypt Party
* Sadat Democratic Party
* Social Justice Party
* Social Peace Party
* Socialist Party of Egypt
* Socialist Popular Alliance
* Solidarity Party
* Strong Egypt Party
* Umma Party
* Union Party
* Victory Party
* Virtue Party
* Voice of Freedom Party
* Egyptian Will Party
* Al-Wasat Party
* We Are the People Party
* Workers and Peasants Party
* Workers Democratic Party
* You Are Egyptian Party
* Young Egypt Party
* Egypt Youth Party
* Egypt 2000 Party

Active political coalitions|

* 25-30 Alliance
* Anti-Coup Alliance
* Call of Egypt
* Civil Democratic Movement
* Egypt
* Egyptian Front
* For the Love of Egypt
* Independent Current Coalition
* Independent National Reawakening Bloc
* National Front Alliance
* Republican Alliance

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