Public outrage against Israeli crimes shaping new geopolitical map

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
20 Oct 2023 13:00

The Arab states are especially concerned about maintaining conventional ties with the United States as their countries' citizens grow more outraged about the US-Israeli crimes in Palestine.

Thousands of protesters rally in support of Palestine and against the Israeli occupation entity in Tunisia's capital on October 16, 2023 (AFP)

The escalating Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Palestinian Resistance's operation have raised security concerns among Arab nations allied with the US, a Bloomberg report said on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Israeli occupation army carried out a brutal massacre in al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which resulted in hundreds of martyred civilians, whether patients receiving treatment or citizens who were forced to take shelter in the hospital after the Israeli entity destroyed their homes.

People from across the world, including Arabs, Muslims, and Westerners, launched angry protests against the Israeli entity and the United States, which was directly complicit in the crime. Many of those, who once believed in a "peace settlement" between the Israeli entity and Palestine, have announced that they no longer see this as a rational position.

However, especially in Western countries, masses denouncing Israeli crimes are finding themselves under more government pressure to attack the Palestinian Resistance. Countries like France, Germany, and the UK have cracked down on any individuals even hinting at their support of Palestine or condemning Israeli crimes.

Paris even banned the Koufiyyeh; a cultural and historic symbol for the Palestinian people, and pro-Palestine protests. Regardless, tens of thousands took to the streets of the capital and defied the government's orders to voice their strong objection to Israeli crimes and support of Palestinians.

On a grander scale, a US-led international coercion campaign is targeting world governments that chose not to support the Israeli aggression on Gaza nor denounce the Resistance.

Arab states had expected that President Joe Biden’s visit to the occupation entity would bring some stability, but the contrary happened, as the US leader declared unwavering complete support to his country's historic ally and deemed whatever action the entity takes comes under "self-defense", vowing to provide "Tel Aviv" with all weapons and funding it needed.

This has put Arab leaders in a challenging position to publicly associate with the US President following the hospital tragedy. This was especially the case after Biden did not force the entity to open the Rafah crossing so that extremely needed humanitarian aid could make its way into the Strip, now going for the 14th consecutive day of complete blockade, including fuel, medications, water, and food.

Protests have erupted, leading to the cancellation of a meeting between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority with President Biden in Jordan.

Countries across the globe saw massive marches, most notably in Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Algeria, France, Spain, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, and even the United States, which saw large numbers of Jewish anti-Zionist protesters. This prompted the entity to evacuate its embassy staff from Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, and Turkmenistan. "Tel Aviv" also asked envoys in 20 countries to stay home.

In response to the US position on the war and the strong public reaction against the aggression and in support of Palestine, a number of Arab countries are turning to other global powers like China, Europe, Russia, and even Iran, seeking assistance to de-escalate the situation. Saudi Arabia, which was on the path toward normalizing relations with "Israel", condemned the occupation entity for the hospital massacre, with Saudi officials engaging in talks with Iran, a known supporter of the Resistance.

As the Israeli occupation army is reportedly prepping for a massive invasion of besieged Gaza and as the Palestinian martyrs are rising by the hundreds every day, public anger in the region is anticipated to surge.

Arab leaders are in a precarious position, attempting to navigate international relations cautiously while maintaining domestic stability.