The U.S. has decided to formally resume contact with Egypt\u2019s Muslim Brotherhood group – which does not recognize Israel \u2013 in a move that could further alienate some Jewish voters already skeptical of President Barack Obama, it was reported.<\/p>\n
One senior U.S. official said the Brotherhood\u2019s rise in political prominence after the forced departure of former President Hosni Mubarak earlier this year makes the American contact necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe political landscape in Egypt has changed, and is changing\u2026 It is in our interests to engage with all of the parties that are competing for parliament or the presidency,\u201d said the official, who confirmed the news to Reuters on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
The Muslim Brotherhood – founded in 1928 to promote a conservative version of Islam in politics, culture and society \u2013 has previously had some communication with the U.S. through Brotherhood Members of Parliament who had been technically elected as independents. U.S. diplomats had been instructed only to deal with Brotherhood members in their role as Members of Parliament.<\/p>\n