Thousands protest against Israel in Egypt after call from Sissi

By Jacob Magid

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

18 October 2023, 6:45 pm Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Egyptian protesters shout anti-Israeli slogans during a demonstration to show solidarity with Palestinians, in front of the Journalists Syndicate in Cairo, Egypt, October 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Thousands protest in Cairo after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi urges Egyptians to take to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.

Sissi blamed Israel for the Gaza hospital blast, despite growing evidence that an errant rocket fired by a terror group was responsible.

The stance is somewhat uncharacteristic for Sissi, who has been more aligned with Israel in recent years than other Arab leaders. However, there is a presidential election coming up in Egypt and the increasingly authoritarian Sissi ostensibly recognizes that a more pro-Palestinian stance will help him in the polls.