Clash in Gaza, yet maintaining camaraderie?
In the heart of autumn 2023, the Israel-Hamas conflict has been a subject of global concern, and two prominent voices in the Middle East discourse, Philipp Peyman Engel and Mr. Abdel-Samad, have weighed in with their thoughts.
The title of their joint book, "What is Israel allowed to do?", has raised some eyebrows, with Engel expressing concern that it may inadvertently place blame on Israel for the war. Engel, who is the son of an Iranian Jew, believes that the title could be misleading, implying Israel is to blame for the conflict's duration.
However, it's important to note that the book does not imply that only Israel has a role in the conflict. Engel acknowledges the involvement of other parties, such as Qatar, Iran, and Turkey, in the ongoing conflict.
Turkey, in particular, has played a critical role since autumn 2023. Ankara has vocally condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza and implemented strong measures against Israel, including a complete break of trade relations, closing its airspace to Israeli planes, and blocking shipment routes to Israel as part of a broad diplomatic, legal, and economic response.
However, Turkey is also accused by Israel of harboring Hamas coordination and funding offices in Istanbul under President Erdoğan's protection, which has further escalated tensions between the two countries and risked a wider regional confrontation.
Engel questions the lack of international pressure on Hamas in the conflict and expresses concern about the question, "What is Hamas allowed to do?" not being addressed in the book. He believes that Hamas could have ended the suffering by laying down its weapons and releasing the hostages.
Engel also questions why no one, except Israelis and Americans, puts pressure on Hamas. He and Mr. Abdel-Samad, who is the son of an Egyptian imam and known for his forthright words about the Middle East, have been vocal about their concerns regarding the ongoing conflict.
The question in the title of the book has been asked since the fall 2023, and it remains a pressing issue in the Middle East today. The book does not address the question "What is Qatar allowed to do?" but it is undoubtedly a topic that deserves further discussion and consideration.
