Why is it? by kerminator

In the middle east, most of the Islamic countries blame all their problems on Israel? Israel appears to be doing much better than most of their neighbors, so you would think they might just pay attention as to how to improve! Like voting, and a free society, and less government control, plus some religious tolerance!

In an interview published April 4, 2011 in the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, which was headlined "Al-Assad Should Step Down and Return To Dentistry," Syrian human rights activist Muntaha Al-Atrash states: "Whenever we ask for freedom and democracy they tell us that our confrontation with Israel is more important than narrow domestic issues. They excuse themselves with this confrontation with Israel, and now they are saying that the Syrian regime is nationalist and does not bow to the West. However, we too do not bow to the West, and do not accept anybody's dignity being harmed. The dignity and pride of Syria will not bow regardless of who is ruling."

The following is the article, including the interview transcript, in the original English:[1]

Bashar Al-Assad is Playing With Fire By Dealing with a Complex Political Situation in a Sectarian Manner

"Al-Sharq Al-Awsat spoke with well-known Syrian human-rights activists Muntaha Al-Atrash, who is also the daughter of the Commander General of the Syrian Revolution Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash. Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash played a prominent role in the Arab revolt, and led the Syrian revolution against the French Mandate (1925-27). His funeral in 1982 was attended by more than a million people.

"Muntaha Al-Atrash graduated from Cairo University's Faculty of Arts in 1967, and is the official spokesperson of the Syrian Organization for Human Rights (Swasiya). In an exclusive telephone interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat from Damascus, Al-Atrash denied that there was any foreign conspiracy against Syria, stressing that the protests were being carried out by Syrian youth who wanted democracy. She also said that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad was playing with fire, and that he should step down from power and return to dentistry.