Arabic media review

Jerusalem Day seen through Arab eyes

Media questions viability of Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, attempts to explain Lebanon violence, and laughs with a new cartoon character

Animated character Bouzbal captures the imagination of Moroccans (photo credit: Facebook)
Animated character Bouzbal captures the imagination of Moroccans (photo credit: Facebook)

As Israelis celebrate Jerusalem Day, the Arab press highlights the problems of a divided city and debates the viability of a future Palestinian capital in the eastern part of the city.

The front page article of Palestinian daily newspaper Al Quds reads: “Jerusalem is still divided 45 years after the ‘unification’ under the Israeli occupation.”

“Even after the unification,” writes Al Quds, “the contrast between the two halves is blatant.” The article focuses on the “visible” differences between East and West Jerusalem, as it points out that “although not separated by a wall… the living conditions are inferior… In West Jerusalem, new buses with electronic ticketing machines drive through green scenery, and the trash is collected regularly. In East Jerusalem, burning waste dumps spread the smell of rancid trash.”

Other commentators choose to highlight the 1948 War of Independence and re-evaluate the Palestinian narrative. An op-ed in Qatar’s Al Jazeera writes, “We want the younger generations to know what really happened… and not be drowned in founding myths.”

The myths author Ziad Mona discuss center on empty political promises. “The elites… say what is happening in our country, revolutions, uprisings, rebellions, you name it, will bring about change,” but the Palestinian reality is only “imagined liberty.” Mona also laments what he sees as political distractions, saying he does not believe that the core issues “lie in the topography of the Temple Mount, and whether the surface is owned by us.” Ultimately, Mona writes, “in order to learn from the lessons of the past, it is necessary to know the history of the struggle,” which is “not possible…when politicians distance themselves from the personal and collective experiences.”

Al Arabiya online focuses on Palestinian cultural ties with Jerusalem, featuring a video entitled “A tour of antique markets in Arab Jerusalem.”

Actual coverage of celebratory events in Israel is limited. International Dar al Hayat documents the “closing of Silwan… settlers uprooting trees in the town of Beit Omar,” and the day’s “marches through the streets of annexed Jerusalem.”

Egypt’s Al Masry al Youm’s front page bears a photo of a procession of Israeli flags, with a caption “The Israeli government holds special meeting in East Jerusalem to celebrate the anniversary of the occupation.”

Syrian troubles spill over into Lebanon

This week’s sectarian clashes between pro-Assad Alawites and Lebanese Sunnis in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli have worried pundits and commentators alike. Today, the Arab press urges calm and discusses how to keep the fighting contained to Syria.

Al Arabiya reports that Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have instructed their citizens not to travel to Lebanon due to the security situation there and that Bahrain asked its citizens currently living in Lebanon to leave the country.

Commentators in the Lebanese media describe the current escalation as “Tense but settled,” as Hezbollah’s Al Manar features headlines reading: “Calm in Tripoli, while tensions remain,” and “Caution hangs over Tripoli.”

Al Manar also posts numerous articles advocating for quick resolution of the situation. A government official is cited saying “the security situation requires that the parties shift away from sectarian and provocative discourse.” Al Manar portrays Hezbollah as being uninvolved, writing: “Hezbollah believes domestic stability in Tripoli is possible through cooperation with the security services, the military, and the people.”

Pundits seem divided about the long-term impact of the fighting in Tripoli and the gravity of the situation. One analyst, writing for Saudi based Elaph, stresses that fears are being grossly exaggerated. Hazem Sagcheya argues that the formation of a “Salifist mini-state” in northern Lebanon, “like the ‘Hezbollah mini-state in Southern Lebanon,” is “exaggerated and oversimplified.”

A columnist for pan-Arab A Sharq Al Awsat argues differently, making the case that fears are warranted. Abdul Rahmen al Rashid writes that the escalation is a political ploy by the Syrian government: “Since the beginning of the revolution, the Syrian regime is trying drag Lebanon into civil war.”

Moroccan cartoon presents harsh realities, comically

A new Moroccan animated show called “Bouzbal” is gaining popularity across the web as it comically satirizes daily troubles in the Arab world. Al Arabiya reports that through Facebook and YouTube, the show emphasizes realism and comedy in everyday life, and does not avoid the tougher and controversial topics.

The show “employs black humor… to help people laugh at the grim reality of youth,” and is said to speak “particularly to Moroccan youth who are not integrated into society.”

As a result, Morocco is also seeing a sharp increase in graffiti featuring Bouzbal across the country.

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