On January 31, 2006, the Syrian government daily Al-Thawra published an article by columnist Abd Al-Rahman Ghunaym suggesting that Israel created the Avian flu virus in order to damage the "genes carried only by Arabs." The article further speculates that Israel may have planted the virus in East Asia in order to mislead the world, and that is why the disease first appeared in that remote region. Another possibility given is that the virus was created to attack the "yellow race - especially in China and Vietnam" which are "rising powers" that threaten the exclusive American hegemony over the world. The Zionists are capable of attempting this [risky] adventure if [they have] a preventive treatment or a [cure for the disease"].
Source: MEMRI (February 16, 2006). Syrian Government daily suggests Israel created, spread Avian Flu virus. Special Dispatch-Syria, No. 1094.
