Syrian referendum slammed in Arab media

Arab media are virtually unanimous in their condemnation of the Assad regime, as Syrians went to the polls Sunday to vote in a national referendum on a new constitution. Most reporting denounces the referendum as futile as long as the government’s violent crackdown against civilians continues in full force.

“Syria: referendum amid blood,” decries the headline in A-Sharq Al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned daily based in London. The newspaper reports that the new constitution would allow Assad to remain in power until 2028.

The headline of Al-Hayat, a liberal daily published in London, reads “Referendum on the backdrop of killing,” contrasting the promise of “political pluralism” in the new constitution with the 51 victims of yesterday’s violence. The daily, which features a photo of Bashar Assad and his wife Asma being interviewed as they walk downstairs, reports that a general strike was called Sunday, disrupting the voting in many Syrian locales. Al-Hayat begins its coverage with opposition statements, giving a voice to Assad only mid-report.

In contrast, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, a hard-line daily published in London, is the only major publication not to lead its news with Syria. In its coverage of the events, the daily’s headline is a quote of Assad saying that “the media is winning in [outer] space, but we are winning on the ground.” The report features the image of a young, veiled Syrian woman clapping as she demonstrates in Lebanon against the regime. The daily seems less cynical than its competitors toward the referendum, reporting that “the participation of Syrians in the referendum varied between regions and cities, depending on their political position in support or opposition.”

Meanwhile, A-Sharq Al-Awsat editor Tariq Homayed, in an editorial published Monday, calls on the West to arm the Syrian opposition. The disappearance of the Assad regime is just a matter of time, argues Homayed, but until that happens the Syrian civilians need protection.

“The purpose of arming is not a wish to see more violence, but to allow Syrians to defend themselves, which is their legitimate right,” he writes.

Egypt and its constitution

While the new Syrian constitution is being ridiculed by Arab media, the Egyptian parliament will convene on Saturday to nominate a new constitution-drafting committee for Egypt.

Al-Hayat reports that the military will try to maintain its grip on Egyptian decision-making by assuring its role in the new constitution. The daily reports that discussions are under way between the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and political actors in Egypt to maintain the military’s supremacy, amid fears that it may lose ground in the country’s new political makeup.

Egypt’s establishment daily Al-Ahram debates whether the constitutional committee should include politicians or only members of civil society. The daily interviews constitutional expert Shawqi Sayyed who says that Egypt’s most liberal constitutions before the 1952 revolution were drafted by experts, not politicians.

The photos in most reports feature Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri addressing parliament on Sunday.

Israel and Iran — the speculations continue

Israel’s diplomatic maneuvers regarding Iran’s nuclear program continue to occupy the Arab press.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi, in its lead headline, quotes France’s former chief of staff, warning Israel of unilaterally attacking Iran. It also reports that Britain will send troops and a nuclear submarine to the Gulf in preparation for war.

Al-Hayat widely quotes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking on Iran during Sunday’s cabinet meeting, saying that Iran will be the focus of his upcoming meetings with US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper. Quoting the Associated Press, Al-Hayat also reports on a 1.6 billion dollar arms deal between Israel and Azerbaijan for drones and anti-aircraft equipment.

Reporting on Iran is markedly absent from Al-Jazeera,  a Qatar-based news channel. Al-Jazeera has encouraged Arab revolutions, but has largely avoided dealing with unrest in its Gulf neighbor, Iran.

Madonna and her Algerian boyfriend go to shul

Al-Quds Al-Arabi reports in its light news section that pop star Madonna has taken her Algerian boyfriend Brahim Zaibat to the Kabbalah Center in New York on Saturday, as it is her custom to attend every Shabbat. The daily reports that “despite being Muslim, Zaibat regularly attends the weekly ceremony alongside his lover, who is 28 years his senior.”

Madonna is scheduled to begin an international tour in Israel this May. The daily reported that it was unclear whether 24-year-old Zaibat will join Madonna in Tel Aviv.