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Egyptian-American Analyst Magdi Khalil: Israel's War with Iran Was Justified; I Am Honored to Be on MEMRI's Board of Advisors - MEMRI Does Great Work, Its Translations Reflect Mainstream Trends in the
Egyptian-American political analyst Magdi Khalil, on a June 21, 2025 episode of From Washington with Hafez Al Mirazi on YouTube, said that he believes Israel's war against Iran is a 'just war.' He said he considers it a great honor to be a member of MEMRI – Middle East Media Research Institute's board of advisors and added that he believes MEMRI is doing 'great work' with its translations. When the interviewer pushed back and noted that MEMRI was founded by Yigal Carmon, whom he claimed is a former Mossad official, Khalil responded that it is a respected American institution based in Washington, D.C. He reiterated: 'It is an honor to be part of MEMRI.' Khalil rejected claims that MEMRI is selective in its translations, using the worst that is said in Arabic media, taking statements out of context, and highlighting statements from minor, non-influential speakers, saying that MEMRI reflects mainstream views, which are reflected by the increasing extremist rhetoric of religious figures, though this trend is now declining in places like Saudi Arabia. He added that ultimately, it is MEMRI's mission to identify mainstream trends. Khalil emphasized that he is not an employee of MEMRI but a board member alongside distinguished American public figures and acknowledged MEMRI vice president Alberto Fernandez, who played a lead role in Alhurra TV.
