Gaza Burns, Doha Thunders… and the Microphones Speak

Arab Islamic Summits are usually a talk fest to soothe the temperament of the street

By: Ahmed Fathi

Clearwater, FL: In Gaza, children scrape for crumbs among the rubble. In Doha, the microphones are polished, gleaming, and ready for yet another round of fiery speeches. A classic scene in the Arab–Islamic political theater: smoke rising there… declarations roaring here.

Hamas insists that October 7 was “resistance.” In reality, it was nothing more than a free gift to Israel, a golden pretext to wage a war of annihilation. Israel, never one to miss an opportunity, seized it: bombardments, invasions, forced displacement, and then more bombardments — a never-ending loop. And the victims? Always the civilians.

Today, the Arab–Islamic Summit convenes in Doha. The expected outcome? The same as ever: eloquent words, forceful statements on paper, thunderous applause in the hall… and nothing afterward. Gaza doesn’t eat applause, nor does it drink political communiqués.

Ironically, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar said what few dare to say: there is no hope without Hamas stepping down from power and surrendering its weapons. But, true to form, “resistance” is treated as sacred — even if half the people burn in its name.

The scene, in brief:

• Gaza = rubble and smoke.

• The summits = golden microphones screaming into the void.

• The result = a giant zero.

And because this is “official Arab diplomacy,” the only thing missing is the usual finale: “We are following developments with deep concern and affirm our full support…” — the same broken record, replayed yet again.