What Can Egypt Single-handedly Do for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?
May 20, 2021, 4:40 am

What Can Egypt Single-handedly Do for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?

Dalia Ziada

Since the beginning of the current episode of war between Gaza and Tel Aviv, all eyes have been directed towards Egypt. The world is expecting Egypt to step up and play its historical role as “the big sister” of Arabs, and intervene to halt, or at least de-escalate, the fight happening next door. However, realistically speaking, what can the Egyptian state single-handedly do to end the current round of conflict between Israel and Hamas, and guarantee sustainable peace, if the United States and the international community are acting lethargic and indifferent. Egypt

The ongoing fight between Gaza and Tel Aviv is, allegedly, the most destructive battle between the Israelis and the Palestinians, since the Gaza War in 2014. The loss of hundreds of innocent lives and the physical damage of infrastructure and individual properties is only one crack of the destruction. The greater damage is the indirect costs of the impairment of Middle East peace potential and re-empowering Islamist extremists and terrorist organizations. Egypt

According to latest statics by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, announced on May 19th, the death toll in Gaza reached a total of 219 Palestinians, including 63 children, while at least 1530 Palestinians have been injured. Meanwhile, the Israeli Aviation has been striking residential buildings and individual properties in Gaza. So far, nine buildings were brought to the ground by Israeli bombs, including a 12-storey building that housed media offices owned by major regional and international media organizations. The Israeli military justified destroying the buildings by saying that they were used as hideouts for Hamas’ meetings and intelligence activities.

On the other side, the Israeli Emergency Response Service announced that 12 Israelis, including one soldier, one child, and two women, have been killed by Hamas’ missiles fired at southern Israeli cities. According to official statistics from the Israeli government, Hamas fired more than 3000 missiles at Israeli cities, but about 400 of them fell short and landed inside Gaza and the Israeli Iron-Dom defense system managed to intercept more than 50% of the missile attacks by Hamas, according to Israeli military statements. Inside Israel, the Israeli Arabs, who represent 21% of the Israeli population and are mostly young, started to clash with Jews, which is raising an alarm for a potential civil war.

Decision-makers around the world are following the tragic events and they stated their concern, but a few are actually intervening to end the war or control the damage. The United Nations and the international community have already condemned the violence and called for ceasefire. The Arab League and its member states, collectively and separately, condemned the violence and called for peace, and then they went back to work as usual. Judging from American President calls with Israeli Prime Minister, last week and this week, the Biden Administration seems to be intentionally keeping itself distant from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Egypt

Egypt, with the help of Jordan, is the only country that is taking real steps, beyond verbal condemnations and objections, towards ending the conflict and solving the crisis. Since the beginning of the conflict, Egypt has been making daily calls with Israeli officials and Hamas leaders, urging them to stop the fight and sit for negotiations. Egypt also proposed a ceasefire plan for both sides of the conflict. Meanwhile, Egypt opened Sinai for Gazan civilians who are seeking shelter and medical aid, despite the risk this may entail on Sinai security.

Following a trilateral summit between the Egyptian President El-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah, and French President Macron, in Paris on the morning of May 18th, President El-Sisi announced Egypt’s decision to allocate 500 million dollars for reconstructing Gaza, as soon as the war ends. Apparently, this announcement was an attempt to encourage Hamas to show willingness for committing to a truce.

Geography is destiny! Egypt could and should intervene to end the current war between Israelis and Palestinians. That is not only because Egypt is the immediate neighbor of Gaza and Israel, or the historical big sister of the Arab countries. But, most importantly, because Egypt is the only country that is keeping balanced relations with both Israelis and Palestinians; including not only the Palestinian Authority but also Hamas. Egypt

However, there is a realistic limit to what Egypt can do. While Egypt coordinates with the Palestinian Authority to pressure Hamas to stop the fight from its side, the international community and the United States must balance Egypt’s efforts by pressuring Israel to accept the Ceasefire proposal and accept to sit for negotiations with Hamas. This ought to happen while keeping in mind that the role of the regional and international mediators must continue beyond ending the war to guarantee long-term sustainable solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. levant

levant

BY: Dalia Ziada

Germany – Challenges to combat "jihadist" threats Johnson admitted the debt he owes to nurses

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.