This is Zone C in North Sinai, whose main city is Sheikh Zuweid. Not only the most tense region in Sinai, but also in all of Egypt, it borders the Gaza strip to the north, which links to Sinai by what is already the largest network of tunnels for smuggling goods in human history. Heading south by way of Karam Abu Salem all the way to Taba, one finds entry points for the trafficking of African migrants into Israel. Meanwhile, the international road that links al-Arish and Rafah is frequently blocked. This is a region dominated by tribal culture and is awash with weapons. Hamas is on one side and Israel on the other, and then there are extremist religious organisations as well. Tensions flare up between tribal and non-tribal entities over competing interests, and the culture of violence grows day by day. This has been the state of affairs in this region both before and after the revolution, but with elections approaching Sinai, one question presents itself: will this tumult have an impact on the electoral climate?
When EgyptVotes asked how they would predict the electoral climate and whether or not there might be violence, the candidates said that the upcoming elections in Sinai would be calm and would not witness any conflicts. Abdel Rahman al-Shourabgy, a prominent figure in the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) in Sinai, said that expanding the electoral district to include what were formerly three electoral districts would put a damper on tribal tensions that were the prime cause of violence. Mahmoud Rifai, a candidate for the Arab Party for Justice and Equality, believed that the number of political parties and candidates would also keep violence from escalating. Conservative Party candidate Mohamed Abu Hany agreed there would be no violence, but noted that the expansion of the district would deprive areas with lower population density – such as central Sinai – of a voice. This would increase tensions and threaten social peace, he said, recalling that in the 2010 elections the sole person to fall victim of a tribal feud hailed from Sheikh Zuwaid.
Knives, cannons, missiles and pruning shears: just a coincidence?
The international road linking al-Arish and Rafah is frequently blocked*
His symbol, the pruning shears, had no relationship to violence, said Abu Hooly, noting he personally denounced violence, but wanted to choose a symbol that was familiar, and to which people in Sinai were accustomed. "We're approaching the season for pruning peaches. Pruning shears re used to cut off dead branches from the peach tree, our main crop, and the peach harvest is the main engine of our economy after the smuggling tunnels.
Hatem Muallam, owner of an internet café in Sheikh Zuwaid and someone personally close to Kamal Abu Bakheit said he had asked the candidate why he chose a knife as his symbol. Abu Bakheit said he was given the choice between a mango and a knife, and since the mango was an unclear symbol, he had chosen the knife.
Knife used as symbol by one candidate*
A famous Bedouin proverb in Sinai says "The country fights with my people" – that is, every region has its own logic, its own culture that makes the region faithful to its people and culture, and vice versa. For this reason, it's no surprise that the area's culture is reflected in its people, be they candidates for the People's Assembly or the voters who will elect them. Whether we intend to or not, in the end we follow our homeland's culture. Thus, we can't rule out that the violent culture of Zone C had an effect on the choice of these ballot symbols.
*Uncredited pictures provided by the journalist.
