CAIRO - 8 April 2025: Thousands of citizens from North Sinai and various Egyptian governorates gathered along the Arish International Airport road in a powerful display of national unity, awaiting the arrival of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit includes field tours of several locations in Arish city, notably the Arish General Hospital, Arish Port, and the logistics center designated for receiving humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip.
The assembled citizens waved Egyptian flags and held banners expressing their full support for President El-Sisi, including slogans such as "We are all behind the President" and "We support our political leadership in protecting the nation's borders." They also displayed welcome signs for President Macron, stating, "Welcome President Macron to the Sinai of Peace," emphasizing the significance of the visit amidst the dire humanitarian conditions faced by the people of Gaza following the ongoing Israeli aggression.
Banners of solidarity with the Palestinian people were prominent, with participants raising slogans rejecting attempts to displace Palestinians into Sinai, asserting that "Sinai is not an alternative to Gaza." Chants condemning Israeli aggression and demanding an end to crimes against civilians in the besieged Strip echoed through the crowds.
Many participants expressed their pride in President El-Sisi's choice of Arish as the starting point for this crucial tour, which reflects the political leadership's concern for the Gaza issue and the people of North Sinai, particularly given the governorate's national role in confronting regional challenges and defending Egyptian national security.
This anticipated visit comes within the framework of Egyptian-French coordination to support the humanitarian corridor to Gaza and review Egyptian efforts in transporting and delivering aid into the Strip. It also reaffirms Egypt's steadfast stance against any solutions at the expense of Egyptian territory and the necessity of ending the aggression and opening a path for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue.
Members of Parliament and tribal leaders in North Sinai emphasized that the broad participation of the governorate's residents in the public gathering reflects the complete alignment between the Egyptian people's position and the political leadership's directives, particularly the categorical rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians into Sinai.
Fayez Abu Harb, a member of the Senate, stated that Egyptians from all walks of life and geographical locations expressed a unified national stance consistent with the vision of the Egyptian political leadership, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, regarding support for the Palestinian people and rejection of plans to displace them or liquidate their cause.
He added that Egypt's active regional role was evident during French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Cairo and the subsequent clear and strong positions affirming Egypt's weight and standing in the region.
Ibrahim Abu Shaeira, a member of the House of Representatives, stressed that the gathering organized by the people of North Sinai, with the participation of tribal members from cities and villages, unequivocally confirms that the Egyptian people's principles are firmly rooted and align with the national policies adopted by President El-Sisi in supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and rejecting any infringement on Egyptian territorial sovereignty.
Sheikh Salama Al-Ahmar, a tribal leader from Al-Tarabin, noted that residents of Central Sinai were keen to attend from the early hours of the morning to participate in this comprehensive national gathering, which represented a powerful display of national unity, bringing together all segments of Egyptian society in rejecting the displacement of Palestinians and defending Arab rights.
Attendees emphasized in their speeches and chants that Sinai is purely Egyptian territory and will not, under any circumstances, be an alternative to Palestinian land. They stressed that standing alongside the Palestinian people is a national and pan-Arab duty that Egypt, both leadership and people, will not deviate from.
The massive public gathering continues today in Arish city, North Sinai Governorate, with hundreds of Egyptians from various governorates participating to express their full solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Strip, and categorically reject all attempts to displace Gazans into Sinai.
An atmosphere of pride and happiness prevailed among the participants, who viewed the gathering as a strong and clear message to the world that the Egyptian people, in all their diversity, stand united behind the Palestinian cause and affirm the Egyptian state's unwavering principles, rejecting any plans aimed at liquidating the cause or infringing on Egyptian sovereignty.
Participants waved Egyptian and Palestinian flags and chanted slogans expressing their solidarity with Gaza, including "From Arish to Gaza... One people, unshaken" and "No to displacement... Gaza will not fly away," emphasizing that Egypt has been and will remain the impregnable fortress for Palestine, the shield protecting its borders and defending its rights.
One participant, Abdel Hamid Sami, stated, "We came to Arish today from Damietta to say one word: No to the displacement of Gaza's people to Sinai, no to the repetition of a new Nakba, and Sinai is not for sale." Another participant, Lubna Abdel Wahed, from Cairo, expressed her joy at seeing this national gathering united for a just cause, reflecting the genuine stance of the Egyptian people.
Participants expressed their full support for the Egyptian political leadership's steadfast position on the Palestinian issue, praising the state's actions in supporting the people of Gaza, both through humanitarian aid and political and diplomatic efforts.
Attendees also stressed that Arish and Sinai are an integral part of Egyptian territory and will never be an alternative to Palestinian land, emphasizing that the Egyptian people will not accept any attempt to involve Sinai in plans aimed at emptying Gaza of its inhabitants.
Participants sent a message of solidarity and love to the people of Gaza, affirming that all of Egypt stands with them in their battle against aggression and that the Palestinian cause will remain in the heart of every Egyptian, no matter how severe the trials.
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