For millions across the Middle East and North Africa, the struggle for Palestinian liberation symbolizes a broader quest for freedom and justice throughout the region, argues Yara Hawari. As Gaza endures relentless bombardments, with death tolls reaching over 200,000, solidarity movements have surged across the Arab world. From Bahrain to Jordan, people are rallying against what they see as genocide in Gaza, often facing crackdowns and arrests for their activism.
In Jordan, demonstrations have increasingly targeted not only Israel but also the U.S., with calls to end normalization agreements. In countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where open support for Palestine is stifled, overwhelming public sentiment still supports Palestinian freedom, highlighting a widening rift between authoritarian rulers and their populations.
The movement for Palestinian liberation, many argue, is now inextricably linked with regional freedom. Calls for a new “Arab Spring” underscore the growing realization that liberation from authoritarian regimes would drastically shift official responses to Palestine. As Gaza continues to bear the brunt of violence, the Palestinian cause serves as a powerful catalyst for regional change, reminding people across the Middle East that their fight for freedom is deeply interconnected.
