Latest news with #PalestinianCause
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestine: From a penalty kick to the awakening of conscience
Palestine on Tuesday came within a hair's breadth of reaching the Asian playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — only to be denied in the final seconds of their last qualifying match by a penalty kick. On the surface, it was a simple sporting moment. But at its core, it reflects the story of an entire people who have long been subjected to suffering — not because of any fault of their own, but because the scales of the world have never been fair to them. This moment takes us back to the year 1934, when Palestine — under its own name — lost to Egypt in the qualifiers for the second World Cup held in Italy, more than a decade before the establishment of Israel. The point here is that Palestine existed, was active and carried its sporting, cultural and political identity to the world. Today, it returns to the arena, still fighting — not only for sporting goals but for the right to exist and to live in dignity. However, the Palestinian cause has never been confined to a single field or arena. It is the story of a people displaced from their land and of a nation whose rights have long been violated amid prolonged global bias. Today, this suffering can no longer be reduced to images or news reports — it demands a direct call to the conscience of humanity. Human justice urgently requires an honest and impartial stance from every human being on Earth to stop the brutal and unjust war in Gaza and the repeated assaults and invasions of cities in the West Bank. Regardless of Oct. 7, which has been used by the current Israeli government as a pretext to justify mass killings and forced displacement in the form of ethnic cleansing, what is happening now has surpassed all boundaries of logic and humanity. Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed and tens of thousands more have been injured, displaced or uprooted in a scene that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Palestinian suffering cannot be reduced to images or news reports — it demands a direct call to the conscience of humanity Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama What is happening in Gaza is no longer a conflict, it is a collapse of human values. We see the dead, the wounded, the thirsty and the hungry — children and adults, men and women — all of them innocent and defenseless. This calls for an immediate and comprehensive end to this senseless war, to save the remaining lives and prevent any further collapse of a tragedy whose origins did not begin on Oct. 7 but stretch back through decades of suffering. In this context, courageous positions by some of the nation's leaders stand out, reminding us that Palestine remains at the heart of Arab and Islamic conscience. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed in his speech to official Hajj guests the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian people's rights. He said: 'We reaffirm the importance of the international community's role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.' Similarly, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, in his Eid Al-Adha message, reiterated his country's principled and firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause, affirming that this support will remain a cornerstone of Djibouti's foreign policy until the Palestinian people attain their right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent state. These two stances are not alone. There are many others that represent a genuine call to the world's conscience. Palestine is not asking for charity or momentary sympathy — it is demanding its legitimate rights and a response rooted in humanity before politics. From the pitch to the podium, from speeches to reality, Palestine remains the ultimate test of global conscience. Will the world pass this test — or will it write another chapter of betrayal? Palestine remains the ultimate test of global conscience. Will the world pass this test or write another chapter of betrayal? Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama Today, human justice demands the restoration of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, the establishment of their state and an end to a humanitarian tragedy unmatched in modern history. Recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state on their national soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the demand of all people of conscience. Living in peace in the Middle East and achieving development, security and dignity for all peoples without exception — including both Palestinians and Israelis — is a demand of the human conscience. And this can only be achieved through a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. The Arabs have offered numerous initiatives to end the Middle East conflict — the latest being the Arab Peace Initiative, which is based on land for peace and mutual recognition. Originally a Saudi proposal, it was unanimously supported by the Arab world and endorsed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the second-largest international organization globally. But Israel has not engaged with this initiative or offered any alternatives. So, today we call upon the conscience of humanity: do not delay in supporting peace and justice before it is too late. Recognition of the Palestinian state and a two-state solution — today, not tomorrow — is an urgent path toward reviving the human conscience: a decisive penalty kick that ends the conflict and ushers in a new era of peace — driven by the awakening of a just global conscience. • Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama is Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Why Egypt blocked the Global March to Gaza
Thousands of activists arrived in Egypt in early June on a mission to march from North Sinai to the Rafah border crossing, demanding an end to Israel's blockade on Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Global March to Gaza brought together participants from over 40 countries, including the US, European nations, and North African states in a striking display of solidarity with the Palestinian people. But as the convoy advanced toward Egypt's eastern frontier, it was met with a firm response. Dozens of foreign activists were detained upon arrival in Cairo, questioned at airports, and in many cases deported before the march could even begin. Some critics saw this reaction as incompatible with Egypt's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. But this interpretation oversimplifies a complex reality. Egypt's stance was neither a rejection of Gaza nor a withdrawal of support. It was a reaffirmation that solidarity must operate within the framework of state sovereignty, national security, and the rule of law. The area surrounding Rafah is not ordinary terrain. It lies within the Sinai Peninsula, where there has been years of terrorism and military operations. For over a decade, Egyptian forces have fought extremist terrorist groups there, and the region remains under heightened military alert. In such a context, the presence of thousands of foreign demonstrators, however peaceful their purpose, posed a tangible risk. Unregulated gatherings near a militarized border could become targets for violence, be exploited by hostile actors, or unintentionally trigger confrontation. Egyptian authorities were clear: they reserve the right to regulate the movement of individuals within their territory, especially in sensitive areas. On the eve of the planned march, the Foreign Ministry affirmed Egypt's right to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security. The message was unambiguous: expressions of international solidarity are welcome, but not at the expense of Egypt's stability or sovereignty. Cairo's approach must be understood in light of its consistent position on Gaza. Egypt has played a leading role in facilitating aid, diplomacy, and humanitarian coordination since the current conflict began. It was among the first Arab states to call for a ceasefire and for expanded access for humanitarian assistance. When Rafah was open, Egypt facilitated the passage of medical aid and evacuees through its side of the border. The Egyptian Red Crescent has been the key operator of relief supplies. It is Israel's closure of the Gaza side of the crossing that has prevented the steady flow of aid, not any failure on Egypt's part. Nevertheless, Egypt insists that any form of engagement near its borders must follow legal and administrative procedures. Foreign delegations must obtain authorization to access areas such as Rafah. Mass protests in a restricted military zone, however well-intentioned, are not seen as legitimate means of pressure. This is not an attempt to suppress activism, but to preserve a functional and secure border in a volatile environment. Egypt's position would probably be echoed by any sovereign nation under similar conditions. At the heart of this stance lies a critical truth: Egypt rejects any implication that it should assume responsibility for Gaza's fate, especially if that means opening its territory to mass displacement. Cairo has consistently resisted proposals that could turn Sinai into a refuge for Palestinians fleeing Israeli aggression. The concern is not driven by a lack of empathy, but by a strategic imperative to prevent demographic shifts that might absolve Israel of its legal obligations to the Palestinian population. Egypt supports Gaza's people not by dismantling borders, but by defending the principle that they belong in their homeland, with their rights intact. From Egypt's perspective, the symbolic act of marching on Rafah misses a key point: the power to open or close the crossing lies with Israel. Since May 2024, Israeli forces have sealed the Gaza side of Rafah, preventing not only aid deliveries but also the exit of injured civilians and medical teams. In this context, Egypt sees mass mobilization at its own gate as misdirected. No amount of protest on the Egyptian side can physically unlock a door shut by the Israeli military. The energy of international solidarity, Egypt argues, would be better spent lobbying the governments of the world to pressure Israel directly to end the blockade. The situation presents Egypt with a difficult balancing act. On one hand, it faces pressure from global civil society, humanitarian organizations and a sympathetic public outraged by Gaza's suffering. On the other, it must navigate the demands of regional stability, Israeli sensitivities, and Western diplomatic concerns. Days before the scheduled demonstration, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called publicly on Egypt to stop the marchers, branding them 'jihadists' and warning of threats to Israeli forces. Western governments, too, entered into quiet conversations with Cairo. France, for instance, contacted Egyptian officials regarding detained nationals, implicitly recognizing Egypt's right to enforce laws on its territory. In the end, the gathering was halted, not out of hostility to Gaza, but in defense of national order and legal responsibility. Egypt's response underscores a broader principle: the state is not governed by emotion alone, but by a rational balance of values, security, and sovereignty. Cairo's actions do not represent a retreat from supporting Gaza. Rather, they reflect an effort to channel that support in ways that preserve regional stability and protect the state's role as a responsible actor. What Egypt seeks now, and what the international solidarity movement must consider, is cooperation, not confrontation. The shared goals remain: ending the siege of Gaza, delivering aid, and securing justice for the Palestinian people. But to achieve this, engagement must be structured, lawful, and politically intelligent. Solidarity must remain strong, but also mature — anchored in realism, not spectacle; coordination, not disruption. In today's fraught geopolitical climate, working with Egypt, not against it, may be the surest path to meaningful impact. • Dr. Abdellatif El-Menawy has covered conflicts worldwide. X: @ALMenawy
Shafaq News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Diplomacy key to de-escalating US-Iran nuclear standoff
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed Baghdad's support for nuclear negotiations between Washinghton and Tehran, warning that rising tensions could undermine the chances for a peaceful resolution. His remarks, released by the PM's media office, followed a meeting in Baghdad with ambassadors and heads of Arab diplomatic missions. During the gathering, al-Sudani highlighted Iraq's commitment to facilitating diplomatic efforts that contribute to broader regional security, emphasizing that continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain ''crucial.'' He expressed Iraq's support for 'a fair and balanced approach' to US–Iran negotiations that would lead to 'positive' outcomes, affirming the continued commitment to fostering agreements that enhance regional stability. The PM's statement come just days ahead of the sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. In preparation, White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to review Tehran's position on Washington's latest nuclear proposal. Although Iran has not yet provided a formal response, the US official indicated that the discussions are 'increasingly likely to proceed as planned.' Regarding the Palestinian Cause, al-Sudani identified the unresolved issue as a primary driver of instability across the Middle East, pointing to the war in Gaza as a significant flashpoint, and cautioning that ongoing military operations risk triggering a wider confrontation. He also urged the international community to increase efforts to prevent what he described as 'extensive civilian suffering in Gaza.' Since the war's onset on October 7, 2023, Gaza's Health Ministry has documented
New York Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Whitney Museum Suspends Program After Dispute Over Gaza Event
After a clash between students who attempted to stage performance art in support of the Palestinian cause and administrators who said the event would have violated the institution's anti-harassment policies, the Whitney Museum of American Art said on Monday that it was suspending its Independent Study Program. The program, which will not accept students next academic year, had built a reputation over more than 50 years for cultivating some of the biggest names in contemporary art, including artists like Andrea Fraser, Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Jenny Holzer. The Whitney said it expected to bring the program back for the 2026-27 academic year. In a statement about the suspension, the director of the New York museum, Scott Rothkopf, cited a 'gap in leadership' and how 'recent developments have underscored the need to further consider the nature of the relationship between the program and the museum.' Students, alumni and some administrators of the study program had criticized the museum's decision in May to cancel a student performance about the plight of Palestinians called ''No Aesthetic Outside My Freedom': Mourning, Militancy and Performance.' Museum officials said a previous version of the event, staged in New York last year by the Poetry Project, included an artist telling audience members to leave if they supported Israel, which would have violated the Whitney's anti-harassment policies. 'There's no instance when we would find it acceptable to single out members of our community based on their belief system and ask them to leave an exhibition or performance,' Ashley Reese, the museum's director of communications, said in a statement. She added that the museum also believed that a monologue 'valorized specific acts of violence' by Hamas, pointing to a description of a Palestinian bulldozer breaking apart a fence. 'The Whitney will continue to support difficult and provocative discussion of important events and social issues,' she said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Fox News
02-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Jewish House lawmaker urges deportation of Boulder terror suspect's family
EXCLUSIVE: One of four Jewish Republicans serving in the House of Representatives is calling for the federal government to deport the alleged illegal immigrant accused of setting Jewish people on fire in Colorado on Sunday. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., called for both the alleged perpetrator and his family to be kicked out of the United States in an interview with Fox News Digital Monday. "I'm very angry, if you can't tell. Many of us have been talking about this stuff for years," Fine said sternly. "Maybe next time somebody says, 'Globalize the Intifada, resistance by any means necessary,' maybe people will take it seriously." A man identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a "makeshift flamethrower" to set peaceful Jewish activists on fire Sunday, according to officials. He allegedly yelled, "Free Palestine," while committing the attack. "The entire Palestinian cause is a lie… The entire justification of the cause is to eradicate Israel and to exterminate Jews," Fine said. "Find me a single person who yells, 'Fee Palestine,' who says they're OK with Israel existing. You won't find them. Find someone who says, 'Globalize the intifada,' who thinks Israel should exist. This is a philosophy built on evil. And this is what happens when we don't do anything about it." Fine told Fox News Digital that House Republicans' massive tax and spending reconciliation bill – President Donald Trump's "one big, beautiful bill" – would give the White House resources to help mitigate such risks. "President Trump needs the resources to round up and deport every single illegal immigrant, everyone – number one, starting with the family of Mohamed, who's sitting at home illegally in Colorado right now." The immigration status of Soliman's relatives – and whether he has family in the U.S. – is not immediately clear. But the Department of Homeland Security said Monday morning that the suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X, "He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired on February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022." It comes after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources told Fox News that Soliman is an Egyptian immigrant who overstayed a visa but then was given a work permit during the Biden administration. Eight people aged 52 to 88 were injured in the attack, including a Holocaust survivor. No fatalities have been reported so far. The activists were marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Soliman has been hit with multiple charges, including murder in the first degree. "Jews were burned alive in the United States in 2025. We got burned 80 years ago, and we said, 'Never again.' And I'll be damned if I let this continue," Fine said. He also called on Congress to pass his recent legislation that would make religion a protected class on college campuses, and for the U.S. to "cut off" Qatar's financial influence in the U.S. Asked how he would accomplish that, Fine pointed out he had previously been given the nickname, "Hebrew Hammer." "I didn't come up with it, but they gave it to me for a reason," Fine said.
