Muslim Brotherhood 'against violence'

Spokesman Mohamed Morsy says the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood is dedicated to freedom of religion and press.

"We are not against people. We are not against mankind. We are not against the Jews. We are against Zionism. We are against torturing the Palestinians," he said.

UPDATE (2-4-11) Here's a transcript of Eliot's conversation with Morsy: 

SPITZER: I spoke with a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood moments ago. I was, quite frankly, astonished at how firm his organization's plans are for the future. The Brotherhood is working closely with Nobel Laureate Mohamed ElBaradei.

Listen closely now to Mohamed Morsy. You'll want to hear what he has to say.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SPITZER: Mr. Morsy, thank you for joining me. So have you had direct meetings with Mohamed ElBaradei to discuss what your platform or what you want to come next?

MOHAMED MORSY, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD SPOKESMAN: Yes, several times we met with Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei. Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei is one among the tens of Egyptian individuals who are (INAUDIBLE) in the society and capable of running to the elections, the presidential elections.

SPITZER: So have you all agreed together that you will settle more for nothing less than President Mubarak's resignation from office?

MORSY: Yes, this is very common and very clear now.

SPITZER: And so all of the statements he has made about holding on through the end of his term, none of that will be acceptable to you or your - those with whom you've been meeting including Mohamed ElBaradei?

MORSY: Yes. That's very obvious from what we've announced all these blocks.

SPITZER: Tomorrow is another big day of a major march. How many people do you think will show up and what will happen over the course of the day? Will there - will there be violence?

MORSY: I think this will be - I think - I hope that no violence will happen.

SPITZER: Can you pledge that you are dedicated and your party is dedicated to freedom of religion and freedom of press?

MORSY: Oh, yes, sure.

SPITZER: For all religions.

MORSY: Sure. For all religions. Yes. Yes. Yes.

SPITZER: Christians, Jews, Muslims?

MORSY: Yes, yes, yes. Why not?

SPITZER: So that when you have a significant position or perhaps a majority position in the Egyptian parliament you will ensure freedom of press and freedom of religion.

MORSY: That's right, completely right. This is 100 percent. These are our principles.

SPITZER: And what –

MORSY: Otherwise, otherwise, if we don't do that, then we do not practice Islam as it should be. Islam is freedom for everyone regardless of his belief or color or race or whatever.

SPITZER: So if your - if the Muslim Brotherhood had a significant position in the parliament or your candidate for president were elected would you observe and continue to uphold the peace treaty with Israel?

MORSY: Yes, let's talk about this in some details. If you want to talk about the peace treaty with Israel, this has to do with the parliament. The parliament comes from the people. Then the opinion of the parliament must be respected.

Now, if you talk about the last 30 years in this treaty the Israeli hasn't respected the treaty. In the beginning of the treaty, in the introduction, it talks about comprehensive - peace, where is comprehensive peace?

SPITZER: Well, let me ask the very simple first question. If you're - the Muslim Brotherhood had a major role in the government or if your candidate were the president would you continue to recognize the existence of the state of Israel?

MORSY: Well, the state of Israel is already registered in the United States. We are talking about the Palestinian state now. Do you recognize a Palestinian state or not?

SPITZER: Well, I'm asking you –

MORSY: The Israeli - does the Israelis recognize a Palestinian state or not? What can we do about a state that's registered in the United States now?

SPITZER: Mr. Morsy, I understand what you're saying, but I'm asking you again a simple question which I think can be answered yes or no. I'm not trying to be tough on you but would you recognize the state of Israel if your candidate for president were elected tomorrow? Would you recognize the state of Israel?

MORSY: Sir, sir, sir, this is a heavy question. You want to talk about the future, and you do not look into the past and the present. This is a heavy question. It's out of faith. It's ridiculous to ask about the future.

Why you don't have even your freedom in your country and you are close by, the foreign policies of the United States against the Palestinians and others. The blood is shed from the Palestinians for more than 60 years. Let us stop the bloodshed of the Palestinians and then talk about such matters in the future.

We are not against people. We are not against mankind. We are not against the Jews. We are against Zionism. We are against torturing the Palestinians.

SPITZER: Can you tell the American people that you have absolutely no connections, no links, with al Qaeda or any other terrorist organization?

MORSY: Oh, yes, clearly definitely, we do not have any kind of relationships with any organization that is practicing violence. We are against violence, wherever it comes from, governments, states, individuals, organizations. This is not acceptable at all.

SPITZER: Will you right now condemn the attacks by al Qaeda both in - on the United States and elsewhere in the world as acts that violate –

MORSY: We did before. We are against whoever did this to the civilian people. We are against this act and we said we want a fair trial, not just an accused, and if you prove by a fair trial - you Americans, if you prove by a fair trial who did this, we are against that whoever did it with you. We stand with you against whoever did this if you can prove really who did this.

SPITZER: One - Mr. Morsy, one last question. Can you then right now also disavow –

MORSY: This is the - this is the last question after the last question. Go ahead.

SPITZER: Yes, you're right. You're catching on to our style. Let me ask you one last question. I promise this is the last one. Will you then right now disavow the use of violence against the state of Israel?

MORSY: We do not use violence against anyone. What's going on on the Palestinian land is resistance.

SPITZER: All right.

MORSY: The resistance is acceptable by all mankind and it's the right of people to resist imperialism.

SPITZER: All right, Mr. Morsy, I appreciate your time and I've asked 10 last questions and we will - I hope have an opportunity to continue this conversation down the road.

MORSY: Thank you.

SPITZER: Thank you, sir.

MORSY: Thank you, thank you.