The Condemnation Dance: Egypt, Qatar Play Their Part in Gaza's Ongoing Tragedy
📰 THE STORY: Newsweek reports that Egypt and Qatar have condemned recent deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza, calling for international intervention and an end to the violence. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Egypt, under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, receives approximately $1.3 billion annually in U.S. military aid (as of 2023 figures). This funding is crucial for maintaining Sisi's
authoritarian regime and, notoriously, for keeping the Rafah crossing — Gaza's only non-Israeli border — largely sealed. The closure of Rafah has been an integral part of Israel's 17-year blockade of Gaza, which began in 2007, trapping over 2 million Palestinians in what has been widely described as an open-air prison. Without Egypt's cooperation, the blockade would be far less effective, and
humanitarian aid access significantly easier. Double Standard: While Egypt and Qatar issue statements of 'condemnation' against Israeli actions targeting Palestinians, their response to comparable or even less severe human rights abuses by their own allies, or within their internal systems, remains muted or non-existent. For example, Qatar, despite hosting Hamas leaders, has faced intense scrutiny
for its treatment of migrant laborers, with reports of thousands of deaths in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup. Egypt's human rights record under Sisi is abysmal, with tens of thousands of political prisoners and brutal crackdowns on dissent. Their 'outrage' rings hollow when measured against their own practices and financial dependencies. Follow the Money: Beyond the U.S. aid to Egypt, Qatar