Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan spoke on “Face the Nation” about the perception in the Middle East that the U.S. is enabling Israel in its conflict with Hamas. She criticized the U.S. for providing offensive weapons to Israel while also expressing concern over civilian deaths in Gaza. Rania called for a change in the U.S. approach to the conflict, urging the international community to use leverage to compel Israel to allow aid into Gaza and end the war, including halting the provision of offensive weapons.
She highlighted the toll of the ongoing conflict on the Arab world, with the Gaza Strip becoming unrecognizable over the past seven months. Rania mentioned the trauma experienced by people in the region due to the violence and criticized Israel’s portrayal of the war as defensive. She emphasized that Hamas does not represent the majority of Palestinians in Gaza and condemned dehumanization of Palestinians by Israel as a way to justify inflicting suffering. The queen also condemned antisemitism as pure hatred but made a distinction between this bigotry and speaking out against the war and Israeli policy.
As President Biden prepared to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan, the administration was facing a deadline to assess whether Israel was using American weapons in accordance with international law. Rania’s comments reflected broader concerns in the Middle East about the role of the U.S. in the conflict and its relationship with Israel. The queen urged the U.S. to hold its ally accountable and to address the selective application of humanitarian law that has undermined its credibility in the region.
The interview with Queen Rania highlighted the complex dynamics surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the U.S. being seen as a key player supporting Israel’s actions. Rania’s criticisms and calls for a change in U.S. policy towards the conflict resonated with many in the Arab world who feel that Palestinian suffering has been ignored or minimized. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza have raised urgent questions about the role of the international community in addressing the root causes of the conflict and ending the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for decades.
By speaking out against dehumanization and violence while also condemning antisemitism, Queen Rania sought to bridge divides and promote understanding between different communities impacted by the conflict. Her comments underscored the need for a nuanced and empathetic approach to addressing the complex issues at the heart of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the U.S. grappled with its role in the region and the moral dilemmas posed by its support for Israel, voices like Queen Rania’s provided important perspectives on the need for accountability, humanitarian action, and a commitment to ending the cycle of violence and suffering in the Middle East.
