Egypt's Shifting Sands: A New Hero Emerges, the Palestinian Cause Fades

Jul 2, 2024 - 14:33
Egypt's Shifting Sands: A New Hero Emerges, the Palestinian Cause Fades

By: A. Yeganeh

Egypt, a nation steeped in a history of both glory and turmoil, finds itself once again at a crossroads. Its recent maneuvers, particularly the deployment of military equipment along its borders with the occupied territories, have ignited renewed interest in the Palestinian cause among Egyptians. However, a closer examination of these measures reveals a more complex reality, one driven by geopolitical calculations rather than genuine concern for the plight of the Palestinians.

The Egyptian government, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, seeks to reassert its regional dominance, aiming to recapture the aura of Gamal Abdel Nasser's era. In the current global landscape, where both the East and West vie for influence, Egypt is strategically positioned to garner significant concessions by aligning itself with one side.

The West, sensing this opportunity, has been actively cultivating a narrative that portrays el-Sisi as a champion of the Palestinian people. This narrative is carefully crafted to coincide with the current surge in violence against Palestinians, positioning Egypt as a potential savior from the Israeli regime's aggression. This strategy aims to supplant the existing axis of resistance, led by figures who have actively challenged Israeli aggression, with a new, Western-backed hero, el-Sisi.

This maneuver is a calculated attempt to shift the narrative of the conflict. By elevating Sisi, the West seeks to marginalize and ultimately erase the influence of the resistance movement, creating a vacuum ripe for Western influence in the region.

While the recent media coverage surrounding Egypt's military activities might suggest a shift towards the East, the truth is far more nuanced. Egypt's economic dependence on the West, coupled with the promises of support for its regime, has undoubtedly swayed its decision to align itself with Western interests.

The current inflamed atmosphere in the occupied territories and the West Bank provides a ripe backdrop for this strategy. Any perceived action by Egypt, however symbolic, is likely to be met with positive responses from Palestinians, feeding the narrative of Egypt as a supportive force. However, this seemingly pro-Palestinian posture serves as a mere façade, a distraction from the lack of genuine effort to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Egypt's actions, while presenting an outward show of concern for the Palestinian cause, ultimately serve the larger geopolitical goals of its leadership. The true beneficiaries of this maneuver are not the Palestinian people, but rather the Western powers seeking to solidify their dominance in the region, leaving the Palestinian cause, once again, sidelined and exploited for political gain.

Egypt's policies, while presenting an outward show of concern for the Palestinian cause, ultimately serve the larger geopolitical goals of its leadership. The true beneficiaries of this maneuver are not the Palestinian people, but rather the Western powers seeking to solidify their dominance in the region, leaving the Palestinian cause, once again, sidelined and exploited for political gain.

The irony lies in the fact that while Egypt's past leaders, like Nasser, were celebrated for their support for the Palestinian struggle, today's leadership, seeking to emulate the past, is ultimately serving the very forces that have long sought to undermine the Palestinian cause. This begs the question: in a world where power dynamics are constantly shifting, will the Palestinian cause ever find a true champion, or will it continue to be a pawn in the larger geopolitical chess game?