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Reactions to Innocence of Muslims

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2012 U.S. diplomatic missions attacks
Location of Libya (green), Egypt (orange), and Yemen (yellow)
LocationEgypt Cairo, Egypt
Libya Benghazi, Libya
Yemen Sana'a, Yemen
Date11 September 2012 (Libya)[1]
11 September 2012 – ongoing (Egypt) [2]
13 September 2012 (Yemen)[3]
TargetUnited States diplomatic missions
Attack type
Demonstrations, infiltration, rioting, online activism
WeaponsUnknown (Egypt)
Rocket-propelled grenades, firearms (Libya)
Deaths14 (Libya)[4][5]
1 (Yemen)[6]
Injured2 (Libya)[7]
70 (Egypt)[8]
5 (Yemen)[9]
PerpetratorsSalafists and football fans (Egypt)[10]
Gunmen, possibly linked to Al-Qaeda[11] (Libya)
class=notpageimage|
Location of the attacks

On September 11, 2012, the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, were attacked during protests over media excerpts of a trailer for a purported film[12][13] titled Innocence of Muslims, which was considered by the attackers to be blasphemous against the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. In Egypt, a group scaled the embassy wall and tore down the American flag, replacing it with a black Islamist flag. In Libya, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fired at the consulate by the militants set a fire that killed the visiting U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, Glen Doherty, an American working for a private security company,[14] two U.S. Marines,[15] Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith,[16] and ten Libyan policemen;[17] and injured two others.

Background

The protests in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen were triggered by the response to media excerpts of trailers for an alleged film[13] called Innocence of Muslims by a filmmaker calling himself Sam Bacile.[18] According to initial news reports, the film depicts Muhammad as, among other things, a philanderer, a homosexual and a pedophile. The film also reportedly shows Muhammad having sex with a woman and Egyptian Muslims burning the homes of Egyptian Christians.[19][20] The New York Times has called the film "amateurish" due to its rudimentary props and poor lighting.[20][21]

However, later reports questioned the authenticity of the film, and reports published by Gawker, Buzzfeed, CNN, and the Christian Science Monitor questioned whether the film was real. The 14-minute trailer for the film exhibited sloppy editing and low production quality, despite allegedly having a $5 million budget. Offensive statements on Islam were also sloppily inserted into the film after production.[12]

Initial media reports portrayed Bacile as an Israeli-American Jew.[22] Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had not heard of Sam Bacile and there was no record of him being a citizen, even though Bacile reportedly identified himself as an Israeli Jew.[23][24] The film's consultant, Steve Klein, said that Bacile's name is a pseudonym and that he is not Israeli and doubted that he was Jewish, as has been reported, but that he suspected this claim was "a disinformation campaign".[23][25] Klein said there were a number of people involved in the making of the film from countries including Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt, who had used pseudonyms.[22] He also said that some were Copts, but most were Evangelical Christians.[25] Klein reportedly told Bacile: "You're going to be the next Theo van Gogh", in reference to the Dutch filmmaker.[26]

On September 12, Time reported that Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a Coptic Christian in Los Angeles, admitted being the manager for the film's production, but denied being Sam Bacile.[27] The Associated Press interviewed Nakoula at his home after finding evidence connecting Nakoula to Bacile, including sharing a phone number and Nakoula previously using aliases such as Nicola Bacily.[27] In 2010, Nakoula pled no contest to bank fraud, and was ordered to pay nearly $800,000 in restitution, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and is forbidden from using the Internet for five years.[27] Nakoula Basseley Nakoula was released from prison June 2011.[28] According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Leigh Williams, Nakoula opened bank accounts using stolen identities and Social Security numbers, and deposited checks from those accounts so Nakoula would withdraw money at ATM machines.[29]

The film was promoted by the U.S. pastor Terry Jones, who had previously angered Muslims by announcing plans to publicly burn the Quran.[19] According to Jones, the film is "not designed to attack Muslims but to show the destructive ideology of Islam."[30] The film was also promoted by Morris Sadek, a Copt whose Egyptian citizenship had previously been revoked for promoting calls for an attack on Egypt. Sadek promoted the film on his website and television stations.[10][31] In response to the promotion of the film, the US Embassy in Cairo issued a statement hours before the attacks that condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims, as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions."[32]

Attacks/Protests

Egypt

Almost 3,000 Salafist demonstrators and football fans protested at the embassy. A dozen men were then reported to have scaled the embassy walls, after which one of them tore down the flag of the United States of America and replaced it with a black Islamist flag with the inscription of the shahada: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Some of the protesters also wrote "There is no God but God" on the compound walls. According to Sherine Tadros of Al Jazeera, the protestors demanded that the film be taken "out of circulation" and that some of the protestors, many of whom were Salafists, would stay at the site until that happens. Thousands of Egyptian riot police were at the embassy following the breach of the walls; they eventually persuaded the trespassers to leave the compound without the use of force. After that, only a few hundred protesters remained outside the compound.[10]

Libya

Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who was killed in the Benghazi attack

According to the U.S. State Department, at 10 p.m. Libyan time, the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was attacked by gunmen, who in minutes gained entry into the compound. The main building, containing Ambassador Stevens, another official, and a security officer, became engulfed in a fire after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.[33] The three became separated, and the security officer was the only person to make it out alive. Forty-five minutes into the attack, U.S. security personnel tried to retake the main building but were unsuccessful and retreated to the annex.[34]

With the assistance of Libyan forces, the American security personnel were able to evacuate the rest of the main building to the annex. At midnight the annex was attacked and two more Americans were killed. At 2 a.m. Libyan time on September 12, Libyan and American security forces "regained control of the situation". However, they could not locate the body of Ambassador Stevens, who had already been taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The circumstances of the ambassador's death are still being investigated, though the cause of death was reported as asphyxiation.[35]

The bodies were taken to Benina International Airport and flown to the capital, Tripoli, and scheduled to fly to a U.S. airbase in Germany. Abdel-Monem Al-Hurr, the spokesman for the Supreme Security Committee, said: "One American staff member has died and a number have been injured in the clashes. There are fierce clashes between the Libyan army and an armed militia outside the US consulate," while adding that roads leading to the compound were sealed off and Libyan state security forces had surrounded the building.[10]

Yemen

Protesters angered by an anti-Islam film made in the US have stormed the grounds of the American embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa on 13 September. Police shot in the air in an attempt to hold back the crowds, but failed to prevent them gaining access to the compound and setting fire to vehicles. A number of people were reported to have been injured. Security force reinforcements in Sanaa used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to drive back protesters.[36]

Reactions

Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil condemned violence, saying: "What happened at the U.S. embassy in Cairo is regrettable and [is] rejected by all Egyptian people and cannot be justified, especially if we consider that the people that produced this low film have no relation to the U.S. government. We ask the American government to take a firm position towards this film's producers within the framework of international charters that criminalise acts that stir strife on the basis of race, color or religion."[19] Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued a statement 24 hours after the event, saying: "The presidency deplores the most vicious attempt to insult the person of Muhammad and condemns people who produced this extremist film."[37] It added that the President had instructed Egyptian Embassy in the US to "take possible legal action to respond to those persons who seek to sabotage the relations and dialogue between peoples and nations."[37]

Libya

Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur's office condemned the attack and extended condolences, saying: "While strongly condemning any attempt to abuse the person of Muhammad, or an insult to our holy places and prejudice against the faith, we reject and strongly condemn the use of force to terrorise innocent people and the killing of innocent people." It also reaffirmed "the depth of relationship between the peoples of Libya and the U.S., which grew closer with the positions taken by the U.S. government in support of the revolution of February 17."[38] Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, the President of the General National Congress of Libya, said: "We apologise to the United States, the people and to the whole world for what happened. We confirm that no-one will escape from punishment and questioning."[39]

A peaceful demonstration on September 12 in Benghazi included Libyan citizens holding signs such as, "Chris Stevens was a friend to all Libyans", and apologizing to Americans for the actions in their name and in the name of Muslims.[40]

Yemen

Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi very quickly reacted to the attack in Sana'a and extended his apologies to the US, according to a statement released by the Yemeni Embassy in Washington, D.C. The statement added that the President instructed officials to "conduct an expeditious and thorough investigation into today's events" and confirmed that the perpetrators "will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." [41]

United States

U.S. President Barack Obama said that he "strongly condemned this outrageous attack" on U.S. diplomatic facilities. He further ordered that security be increased at all such facilities.[42] A Marine FAST team was sent to Libya to help with security.[43]

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: "Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.[10] But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind."[44]

The Obama administration opened an investigation into whether the attack in Libya was a planned terrorist attack on the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, because it was "too coordinated or professional to be spontaneous", rather than a spontaneous mob that was angry over a YouTube video criticizing Islam.[45] According to The New York Times and CNN, officials within the Obama administration have said that they believe the attack in Benghazi was deliberate,[46] and reports indicate one or more[47][19] pro-al Qaeda groups may have been involved in the attack.

Other US reactions

In reference to a statement made by the U.S. Embassy in Egypt hours before the attacks took place, in which they condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims",[32] US presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized the Obama administration saying "It’s disgraceful that the Obama Administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks." RNC Chair Reince Priebus tweeted "Obama sympathizes with attackers in Egypt. Sad and pathetic."[48][49][44][50]

International reactions

 United Nations – In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "The United Nations rejects defamation of religion in all forms. At the same time, nothing justifies the brutal violence which occurred in Benghazi," [51]

 Argentina – President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said that she and the Argentine people condemned the attacks, and she deeply regrets the death of Ambassador Stevens.[52]

 Australia – Foreign Minister Bob Carr condemned the attack on the United States consulate in Libya as "a barbaric act." He also called Ambassador Christopher Stevens, a "friend to Australia."

 Cuba – Cuba condemned the attacks in Benghazi. The Foreign Ministry's statement said "violence against diplomats is not justified "anywhere, or under any circumstances."[53]

 India – Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai in a press release said "We are deeply shocked at the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. India strongly condemns the violent acts which unfortunately resulted in the death of the US Ambassador to Libya and other officials." The secretary has spoken to US Ambassador in Delhi and conveyed condolences at the tragic loss of life. [54]

 Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent condolences after the attacks saying, "The people of Israel grieve with the American people, If there‘s any people in the world that understands what Americans are going through, what they went through in 9/11, it‘s the people of Israel, who‘ve been standing at the forefront of the battle against terrorism, who‘ve lost loved ones and who deeply, deeply sympathize with the people of America at this time," [55]

 Italy – Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said in a news conference, "We will continue to support the government of the new democratic Libya, which we are sure will spare no effort in preventing Libya's new course from being hijacked," and added condemnation to the attacks. [56]

 Pakistan – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Pakistani government strongly condemns the killing of Ambassador Stephen and his staff members in Benghazi.[57]

 Russia – Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent a telegram to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying he was "shocked by the tragic deaths" of the ambassador and the other diplomats, and asked her to convey his country's condolences to the victims families.[58]

 Turkey – President Abdullah Gül sent a message to US President Barack Obama in which he expressed his condolences and condemned the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi which killed US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and four other Americans.[59][60] Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent condolences to Obama about attacks.[61] In a separate statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry also said it strongly condemns the attack and standing by American people in solidarity. It added that Turkey expects that Libyan authorities will bring those responsible in the death of the American ambassador to justice.[62]

 UK – UK Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi as "senseless and brutal" and added that the attack serves as "a reminder of the continuing need to bring law and order to all parts of Libya so that the people of Libya can have a safer, more peaceful and prosperous future.”[63]

 Vatican City – Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said in a statement "The serious consequences of unjustified offence and provocations against the sensibilities of Muslim believers are once again evident," [64]

Think tanks

The British think tank Quilliam has argued that the attackers in Libya were too heavily armed and organized to merely be angry protesters, suggesting that the American fatalities in Benghazi were the result of a pre-planned revenge attack by al-Qaeda for the killing of Abu Yahya al-Libi three months prior and the protest outside the consulate was just a diversion.[65]

See also

References

  1. ^ Margaret Coker (September 12, 2012). "Libya Attack Sparks Crisis". Wall Street Journal.
  2. ^ Karim Gamal al-Deen (September 12, 2012). "Egypt protesters breached US embassy for a second day". PressTV.
  3. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/13/anti-islam-film-embassy-yemen?newsfeed=true
  4. ^ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-12/obama-says-u-s-condemns-attack-in-libya-in-strongest-terms-.html
  5. ^ Libyan guards killed in US consulate attack
  6. ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-09/13/c_131848979.htm
  7. ^ http://www.moroccotomorrow.org/rpg-hits-uk-convoy-in-libya-2-hurt/
  8. ^ http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/52777/Egypt/Politics-/-injured-so-far-at-US-embassy-clashes-in-Cairo-Hea.aspx
  9. ^ http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/one-killed-as-hundreds-storm-u-s-embassy-in-yemen-over-anti-islam-film-13-wounded-in-egypt-protests-1.464763
  10. ^ a b c d e "US envoy dies in Benghazi consulate attack". Al Jazeera English. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  11. ^ "U.S. ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack". September 12, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Film at heart of Libya attack may be fake". The Jerusalem Post. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Chen, Adrian (September 12, 2012). "'It Makes Me Sick': Actress in Muhammed Movie Says She Was Deceived, Had No Idea It Was About Islam". Gawker.com. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Ellement, John (September 13, 2012). "Winchester native among victims of Libya attack". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  15. ^ "Assault on U.S. consulate in Benghazi leaves 4 dead, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens". CBS News. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  16. ^ "Statement on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya". Department of State. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  17. ^ Libyan guards killed in US consulate attack
  18. ^ "Maker of anti-Islam film goes into hiding: report". Reuters. September 12, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c d "US ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack". Reuters. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  20. ^ a b David D. Kirkpatrick (September 12, 2012). "Origins of Provocative Video Are Shrouded". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  21. ^ David D. Kirkpatrick (September 12, 2012). "U.S. Envoy to Libya Is Killed in Attack". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  22. ^ a b "Filmmaker behind anti-Islamic movie 'not Israeli'". Yedioth Ahronot. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Israel says filmmaker behind anti-Muhammad movie is not a citizen". The Times of Israel. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  24. ^ Peralta, Eyder. "What We Know About 'Sam Bacile,' The Man Behind The Muhammad Movie : The Two-Way". NPR. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Muhammad Film Consultant: 'Sam Bacile' Is Not Israeli, and Not a Real Name - Jeffrey Goldberg". The Atlantic. August 20, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  26. ^ "Anti-Islam Filmmaker In Hiding After Attacks". NPR. Associated Press. September 12, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c "California Man Confirms Role in Anti-Islam Film". Time. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  28. ^ "Locate a Federal Inmate: Nakoula Basseley Nakoula". Federal Bureau of Prisons. 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  29. ^ "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Claims Role In 'Innocence Of Muslims'". Associated Press. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  30. ^ "Who is Sam Bacile? Identity of man behind anti-Mohammed film crumbles as no records found | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  31. ^ Sadik, Morris (September 5, 2012). "Global film on the Life of Muhammad Nbyalasalam and the Trial of Mohammed" (in Arabic). Coptic American National Assembly (blog). Retrieved September 12, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ a b "U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement". U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  33. ^ Jason Hanna (September 12, 2012). "Six things to know about attack that killed Ambassador Stevens". CNN.
  34. ^ Judson Berger (September 12, 2012). "Gunfire, then a missing ambassador - officials describe chaotic scene at Benghazi post". FoxNews.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Judson Berger (September 12, 2012). "Gunfire, then a missing ambassador - officials describe chaotic scene at Benghazi post". FoxNews.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Judson Berger (September 13, 2012). "(Reuters) - Hundreds of Yemeni demonstrators stormed the U.S. embassy in Sanaa on Thursday in protest at a film they consider blasphemous to Islam, and security guards tried to hold them off by firing into the air". Reuters.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ a b "Press release from the Presidency of the Republic" (in Arabic). Presidency of Egypt. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  38. ^ "Statement regarding the events at US Consulate in Benghazi" (in Arabic). Libyan Prime Minister's Office. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  39. ^ "US ambassador, consul among 4 killed in militia attack on Benghazi consulate". Russia Today. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  40. ^ Jessica Testa (September 12, 2012). "15 Photos Of Libyans Apologizing To Americans" (photographs). BuzzFeed.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) (Additional such photographs.)
  41. ^ "Yemeni government claims order 'restored' at US Embassy". Fox News. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  42. ^ "US won't rule out Islamist militant link to attack on US consulate in Libya - World News". Worldnews.nbcnews.com. September 11, 2001. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  43. ^ "US Marine anti-terrorism team heads to Libya: official". AFP. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "Romney slams reaction to protest". Sky News. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  45. ^ "Were Libya attacks coordinated to mark 9/11?". Associated Press. Yedioth Ahronot. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  46. ^ "Libya Attack Brings Challenges for U.S." The New York Times. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  47. ^ "Pro-al Qaeda group seen behind deadly Benghazi attack". CNN.com. May 15, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  48. ^ [1]
  49. ^ Washington Post RNC Chair: Obama ‘sympathizes with attackers’
  50. ^ "Romney calls Obama administration response to Libya attacks 'disgraceful'". Washington Post. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  51. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/united-nations-condemns-attack-u-diplomats-libya-144956496.html
  52. ^ "La Argentina condenó el atentado en el Consulado" infobae.com, September 13, 2013
  53. ^ http://www.denverpost.com/rawnews/ci_21527251/cuba-condemns-libya-attack-americans
  54. ^ "Statement on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya". Ministry of External Affairs. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  55. ^ http://en.europeonline-magazine.eu/israel-expresses-condolences-over-libya-attack_237594.html
  56. ^ http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=23323
  57. ^ "Pakistan Condemns the Killing of US Ambassador in Libya" mofa.gov.pk, September 12, 2012
  58. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/russia-says-deeply-worried-u-killings-libya-194353650.html?_esi=1
  59. ^ "Gul condemned attack on the American consulate". Anadolu Agency. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  60. ^ http://www.turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/haberdetay.aspx?NewsID=22566
  61. ^ "Turkish PM Offers Condolences to Obama over Killing of U.S. Ambassador in Benghazi". Anadolu Agency. The Journal of Turkish Weekly. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  62. ^ "Turkey condemns attack on American Consulate". News.Az. September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  63. ^ "Foreign Secretary condemns "brutal and senseless" attack on US Consulate General in Benghazi". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  64. ^ Agence-France Presse (September 12, 2012). "Don't provoke Muslims, Vatican says". Rappler. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  65. ^ "U.S. vows to hunt down perpetrators of Benghazi attack". CNN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2012.

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