Esaad Younes Tells the Story Behind the Castor Pajama — Egypt’s Subtle Weapon After the October War

Opening her show Sahebat El Saada on DMC TV Channel, Esaad Younes began with a question rich in symbolism:

“My question to the industry men do you remember the Egyptian Castor Pajama?”

She then drew a striking connection between this humble Egyptian-made garment and one of the greatest military triumphs in modern Egyptian history.

 

Younes recounted the famous story of how, after the 1973 ceasefire negotiations, Egypt prepared to hand over Israeli prisoners of war. The Egyptian leadership asked, “How do we return them like this? Of course not — that would be shameful.”

The brilliant decision followed: “Let’s dress them in El-Mahalla’s Castor pajamas.”

 

Younes explained that the goal went far beyond clothing the prisoners — it was a psychological and political masterstroke.

 

 

 

“We sent them back to Israel wearing Egyptian pajamas,” she said. “So that every time they saw Egyptian cotton, or read ‘Made in Egypt,’ they’d remember what happened — and know that standing against Egypt comes at a heavy price because in the end, Egypt will make you wear the pajama.”