History Quote by John R. Bradley
““After that fateful day of July 23, 1952, the "Paris Along the Nile," as Cairo was lovingly renamed by the foreigners who flocked to the city and helped to design, build, and run it during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was cast into the proverbial dustbin of history. Quarrels rather than friendships between Egyptians and foreigners became the order of the day. Indeed, the foreigners' property was confiscated. Along with the aristocracy itself, they eventually either chose to leave or, after the 1956 Suez War, were forced to flee. Symbolic of Nasser's rank xenophobia was his expulsion of half of Egypt's Jews, endlessly linked in the regime propaganda machine with the recently created state of Israel. This was one of a number of witch hunts Nasser used (another targeting the Muslim Brotherhood) to deflect attention from his own shortcomings, especially in the area of foreign policy.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Middle East: The World After the Arab Spring, John R. Bradley, 2015
Nasser's policies expelled many foreigners and Jews, using scapegoating to mask his own policy failures.
In simple terms: Nasser blamed outsiders to hide his own mistakes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when leaders shift blame onto minorities.
Themes
politics
history
social dynamics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- education curricula
- media literacy
- community dialogue
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
scapegoating
nationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do leaders use scapegoating?
- What are the long‑term impacts of forced migrations?
A Different Perspective
Such expulsions cause lasting trauma and demographic loss.
