Conflicts ABD, ABDEL FATTAH AL - SISI, AFRICA, ALEXANDRIA, ASIA, CEASEFIRE, CONFLICT, EGYPT, GAZA, GAZA STRIP, MILITARY OPERATIONS, NORTH AMERICA, PALESTINE, RAFAH, SISI, SUPREME STATE SECURITY, SUPREME STATE SECURITY PROSECUTION, SUZAN, SUZAN MOHAMED SULEIMAN, TERRORISM, UNITED STATES, WHATSAPP Clara Montgomery June 30, 2025 0 Comments

In Egypt, Supporting Palestine Now Considered a Crime Amid Crackdown

Supporting Palestine in Egypt is approaching criminalization amid a crackdown.
Dr. Suzan Mohamed Suleiman was arrested for organizing a convoy for Gaza.
At least 186 people have been detained for pro-Palestine expressions in Egypt.
The arrests include minors, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The government is simultaneously bolstering relations with Israeli officials while repressing protests.

Growing Tensions Over Palestine Support in Egypt

As the international community rallies to support the Palestinian cause, a disturbing trend is emerging in Egypt: showing solidarity with Palestine is increasingly being treated as a crime. The climate of repression has tightened under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, where what was once a compassionate stance has now become a precarious act subject to severe penalties. Freedom of expression hangs in the balance as individuals who openly express their support risk not only detention but lengthy jail sentences as well.

Dr. Suzan’s Case Highlights Human Rights Concerns

The recent case of Dr. Suzan Mohamed Suleiman, a surgeon aged 67, epitomizes this alarming crackdown. Following her participation in organizing a humanitarian convoy for Gaza, security forces raided her home on June 12, ultimately charging her with ties to a terrorist organization and disseminating false information. Her alleged crimes stemmed from her involvement in a WhatsApp group where the convoy was allegedly planned. This is a tragic illustration of how low the state is willing to go to silence dissent and quell public support for Palestine.

Widespread Arrests Under Politically Motivated Charges

The situation extends beyond just one individual, as rights organizations report that at least 186 individuals have been detained for pro-Palestine expressions, including minors. In a striking example, six young men were arrested in Alexandria after they displayed a banner advocating for the opening of the Rafah border crossing, leading to their detention becoming known as the “Palestine Banner Case” in media circles. All of this occurs while the Egyptian government simultaneously appears embracing of Israeli officials, leaving those demonstrating for Palestinian rights in an increasingly precarious position, fearing imprisonment simply for joining a chat or displaying solidarity publically.

The crackdown on pro-Palestinian expressions in Egypt underlines a grim reality where supporting a cause increasingly subjects individuals to legal jeopardy. The extensive number of arrests illustrate not just a suppression of individual freedoms but also a broader silencing of public opinion regarding Palestine. Under al-Sisi’s rule, solidarity with Palestine now comes at a significant personal cost.