The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan declared that the “security of marine navigation in the Red Sea is indivisible from the national security of the two countries.” The truth is it is indivisible from the security of the entire region and international marine navigation and therefore, the global economy.
Economic experts know that the damage the Houthi group is causing in Yemen means nothing to Israel as much as it harms the entire region and international community. The greatest damage is inflicted on our countries. Politicians know that the harm done to our region impacts everyone.
So, this is what is happening: Israel strikes Gaza, Syria and southern Lebanon. The Iranian response takes place through the Houthis militias that attack our security. The Muslim Brotherhood retaliates by demonizing moderate Arab countries, specifically Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
We are being confronted with a real attempt by sponsors of militias to target the countries of the region and their stability. This means that whatever losses Iran’s militias are incurring on the ground, it is trying to achieve through targeting the economies of regional countries and, of course, the world.
We are today demanded to call things as they are, just as the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan did. We need rhetoric that accurately describes the situation on the ground, as well as its dangers. This will help facilitate in taking internal measures and even mobilize international resolutions.
Yes, the war in Gaza is deadly, destructive and rejected. However, the fate of Gaza and its people must not be held hostage for the safety of some factions and their survival.
It is unacceptable for everyone to be at a loss. The Palestinian Authority has not even risen up to the occasion and its dangerousness. The whole of Lebanon must not be held hostage by a terrorist group, like Hezbollah, under the pretext of no voice can rise above the sound of the battle.
So, we must call things as they are to protect the people of Gaza and for the factions to assume their responsibilities. Do they truly want to save the people of Gaza or serve the Iranian project? We must name things as they are so that the Arab public opinion can realize the extent of the dangers lurking in the region.
The Arabs have done everything they can on the international arena in search of solutions. They made all possible condemnations and now it is time that they do the same again, but from the region. The region must not be held hostage by Israel and Iranian militias.
It is time for statements that carry an initiative that shows real seriousness in stopping the bloodshed and war in Gaza. The statements must also hold Iran to account so that it can in turn demonstrate whether it is serious about the region or not.
This is not a lax approach, but a call for accountability, just as what happened with Hezbollah in the 2006 war. At the time, the party took a gamble and it cost Lebanon dearly. The country has still not recovered from that war.
The developments have demonstrated that Iran’s statements are nothing but slogans. The target is the security and economy of the region and in service of Netanyahu’s madness. He will reap political gains the longer the war persists and expands in the region. So, we are saying that it is time to call things as they are.
