Reem Sahwil, a victim of European policy
Diana Moukalled/Al Arabiya/Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Reem Sahwil, the young Palestinian girl who was reduced to tears in front of German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the leader that she doesn’t know what her own future looks like as long as her stay in Europe remains unknown. In a televised session, she told the leader that she would like to go on to college and that it was difficult to watch others make something of their lives while she was not able to due to her status as a refugee. It was a moment of appeal, a moment that history will certainly document.Who cannot sympathize with someone as honest and transparent as Reem, the 14-year-old Palestinian girl, as she narrated her and her family’s suffering in Germany, in fluent German, and spoke of her fears of the possibility of being deporting before she broke down into tears. Reem, who made news headlines in several German dailies and websites, seemed to represent the face of Europe’s oppressed newcomers.
An unenviable position
Within seconds, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who’s seen as a strong woman and who prior to this incident was accused of humiliating the Greek prime minister in negotiations over his country’s financial crisis, found herself in an unenviable position. However, Reem’s tears put Merkel and her government in an embarrassing position especially as the incident raised serious questions about the humanitarian dilemma of those fleeing to Europe from the Middle East. This is what actually made German political elites rush to act in order to alter laws concerning refugees. The incident took place during a show about living in Germany which Merkel has taken part in before, however the discussion was novel. For 11 minutes during the forum, Reem explained her story beginning from living in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon where complications her mother suffered from as she gave birth to her affected her health and made her incapable of walking normally. She continued to narrate the long and complicated process her parents went through in order to attain a visa to go to Germany for treatment five years ago, adding that ever since they’ve lived on hopes that she will heal and that their asylum application will be approved so they can stay in Germany. However, weeks prior to the forum, their application was rejected. Most probably, Reem, who mastered the German language, was excited to attend the forum to narrate her ordeal to Merkel, and this is exactly what happened. However, what Reem did not expect is that her discussion with Merkel would spark such concern and interest among the German and European public.
Failing to comfort
The German chancellor failed at comforting the girl, although she patted her on the shoulder. Merkel’s statement that not all those who seek refuge in Germany can stay and that politics is sometimes hard resulted in a wave of reactions against her. Merkel was criticized after she responded to Reem’s questions in such a manner. It’s true that she was frank and clear but the issue of refugees is not a collective issue but rather the issue of individuals where each individual must narrate his/her own story exactly as Reem did. This discussion began to surface in Germany and Europe as the uproar stirred by Merkel’s confrontation with Reem opened people’s eyes to the fears of thousands of refugees who face the threat of forcible deportation. Reem has succeeded at altering the path of her life following this incident as officials there said she will not be deported and she and her family will stay in Germany. But what would have happened if Reem hadn’t cried and if we hadn’t seen her moving tears? Someone ended up helping Reem who really deserves to achieve what she aspires, but who will help the others? Perhaps the discussion and concern resulting from this incident will pave the way for those who have not had the chance to narrate their suffering on television.
Does Saudi Arabia Have Hawks and Doves?
Tariq Alhomayed/Asharq Al Awsat/Monday, 27 Jul, 2015
Coinciding with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to Kuwait on Sunday, Iran launched a clearly organized media campaign aimed at other countries in the region, whether friend or foe. Some of this was carried out by Iran’s allies—Hassan Nasrallah, Bashar Al-Assad, Nuri Al-Maliki—but the most interesting comments came from Tehran itself, and specifically its Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In comments carried by the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Abdollahian presented Tehran’s reading of the regional situation following its nuclear deal with world powers, focusing especially on Iran’s stance towards Saudi Arabia. Abdollahian’s comments contained numerous errors and he spoke in triumphant tones regarding the reality of the region following the deal—perhaps to gloss over the numerous concessions Iran had to make in order to seal the agreement.
The deputy foreign minister also repeated recent comments made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Tehran supports “oppressed peoples” throughout the region via Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Bashar Al-Assad. He also spoke of how, allegedly, Saudi Arabia had attempted to forestall the nuclear deal. “The security of the region, including that of Saudi Arabia, is part of Iran’s security,” Abdollahian said. “However, the policies of some extreme voices inside Saudi Arabia today are pushing the region towards conflict and shaking its security and stability. Proof of this is Saudi Arabia’s behavior in Bahrain and Yemen and its negative role in several of the region’s important issues, such as in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. For this reason, I can confirm that we welcome dialogue with Saudi Arabia and we hope that it will in the nearest time possible dispense with its hawkish policies.”
A question arises immediately after reading these comments: Since when, Mr. Abdollahian, has Saudi Arabia had hawks, as you put it, or even doves? The facts show that since the 1979 Khomeinist revolution Saudi Arabia’s policies towards Iran have been very clear and decisive. All the Kingdom’s monarchs since 1979 have tried to assume good intentions on Tehran’s part, while at the same time taking a decisive stance regarding national security and the non-interference in the affairs of other countries, whether coming from Iran or anyone else. It is well-known that Saudi Arabia does not have, and has never had, hawks or doves in its administration. What it does have is a state, solid and proud, manned by accomplished statesmen, and possessing a clear, rational approach to domestic and international affairs. Unlike Iran, Saudi Arabia has never recruited sectarian militias in Iraq, Lebanon, or Yemen. Unlike Iran, Saudi Arabia does not support a criminal who continues to butcher his own people in Syria. Neither is Saudi Arabia a state sponsor of terrorism, as Iran is.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia did not support a coup in Yemen against a legitimate and internationally recognized president; instead it helped bring about a UN Security Council resolution, supported by the international community, to protect political legitimacy in the country. As for Bahrain, Saudi Arabia’s intervention there is motivated solely by the desire to protect the country and its security, something it also did when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990. Iran, meanwhile, seeks to undermine the security of numerous countries around the region. Saudi Arabia has not responded to Iranian-sponsored terror attacks with similar attacks on Iranian soil. It has not funded Iranian operatives or terrorists, or fanned the flames of sectarianism in Iran. Nor does Saudi Arabia host and protect members of Al-Qaeda.
Iran does not respect its agreements. It has not abided by the terms of what was known as the Naif–Rouhani agreement, nor an official security agreement signed with Riyadh in 2001. So, how, after all this, can Mr. Abdollahian say with a straight face that Saudi Arabia’s security is part of Iran’s security? Or that Saudi Arabia has hawks and doves? And, may I ask, what could possibly be the point, after all these recent comments, for Foreign Minister Zarif’s visits to Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq, especially considering the recent news coming out of Bahrain regarding an Iranian-trained cell attempting to carry out terror attacks in the country?
It is clear that Iran is not just good at spinning rugs; it can spin a fine, fantastical tale too.
