"THEY CONTROL THE ENTIRE WORLD." Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, is a fine archaeologist and an astute player in the requisite Egyptian politics, but, disappointingly, he also buys into conspiracy theorizing about the Jews. MEMRI has a clip from an interview with him in Arabic aired on Egyptian TV in February. Their English transcript is here:

Renowned Egyptian Archeologist Zahi Hawass: Jews Control the Entire World

Following is an excerpt from an interview with Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, which aired on Egyptian TV on February 11, 2009.

Interviewer: So [the Jews were dispersed in 133 C.E.?

Zahi Hawass: That’s right.

Interviewer: And they didn’t reunite until 1900?

Zahi Hawass: Exactly.

Interviewer: So they were dispersed for 18 centuries?

Zahi Hawass: For 18 centuries they were dispersed throughout the world. They went to America and took control of its economy. They have a plan. Although they are few in number, they control the entire world.

Interviewer: Dr. Hawass, you are a great historian and archaeologist. I would like to figure out the mystery of how 15 million people, 5 or 6 million of whom do not share this vile Jewish logic... With regard to Israel and Zionism – we are talking about 7 or 8 millions. How is it possible that these 7 or 8 millions have taken control of the entire world, and have convinced the world of their cause, while we, over one billion Muslims, cannot convince the world of our cause? How would you explain this from a historical perspective?

Zahi Hawass: The reason is that they are always united over a single view. They always move together, even if in the wrong direction. We, on the other hand, are divided. If even two Arab countries could be in agreement, our voice would be stronger. Look at the control they have over America and the media.

Interviewer: So in your opinion, the secret lies in unity?

Zahi Hawass: Yes. It was unity that gave them this power...

Interviewer: You mean from a historical perspective?

Zahi Hawass: Of course.

Very disappointing. Regrettably, this will not enhance his international stature.

Oh and, by the way, the Bar Kokhba revolt ended in 135 CE, not 133.

Zahi Hawass has been mentioned previously on PaleoJudaica here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Via Joseph I. Lauer, who got it from Jim West, who was alerted by Dr. Israel Finkelstein.

UPDATE (8 April): More here.