Title: Arab Allies Cancel Meeting with Biden Amid Growing Tension over Israel-Hamas Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, several close Arab allies of the United States, including Jordan and Egypt, have abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting with President Joe Biden. The cancellation came less than 24 hours before the meeting was set to take place and is seen as a clear indication of the Arab leaders’ growing discontent with the US’s perceived support for Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
This recent decision follows a devastating explosion at Gaza’s Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, resulting in the death of hundreds of Palestinians. Palestinian officials have accused Israel of causing the blast, while Israeli officials claim it was a result of a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket. Reports of this incident have sparked widespread anti-Israel protests in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, and the West Bank.
Jordan, with its sizable Palestinian population, stands particularly vulnerable to these protests. Concerns among Arab leaders are growing as images of dead Palestinians continue to circulate on Arabic news channels, fearing that the unrest may escalate further within their own nations.
Egypt has declared three days of mourning for the victims of the Gaza hospital tragedy. However, Arab states are expressing shock at what they perceive as Biden’s failure to criticize Israel or take decisive action to stop the bloodshed. This disappointment is pushing Arab leaders to distance themselves from the United States.
Jordan’s King Abdullah has expressed alarm over the potential displacement of Palestinians into Jordan and Egypt, stating that it would be a “red line.” He categorically asserted that neither country would accept refugees from Gaza. Additionally, the US suggestion of establishing a safe corridor for Palestinians seeking refuge in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has sparked fury across the Arab world. Egyptian newspapers have denounced the idea, drawing comparisons to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has outright rejected the notion of relocating Palestinians to the Sinai, arguing that it is Israel’s responsibility to accommodate the refugees. Sisi also warned that the presence of Palestinians in the Sinai could provoke anti-Israel militancy and potentially prompt Israeli strikes against Egypt.
Arab leaders are determined not to be seen as facilitating the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This collective response, including the cancellation of the meeting with President Biden, reflects the mounting tension and anger in the region regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
As the situation continues to escalate and casualties rise, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate its relationships with Arab allies and effectively address their concerns. The eyes of the world are eagerly watching to see how the US will respond to this critical development and work towards a peaceful resolution in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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