Al-Azhar Grand Imam: Neutrality Impossible Amid Gaza Crisis
Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasized during a meeting with Agostino Palizze, the Italian ambassador to Egypt, that the situation in Palestine has reached such a stage of injustice and violence that no individual or institution can remain neutral. Referring to the ongoing events in Gaza, Al-Tayeb stated that the killing of children and civilians, along with the extent of destruction, demonstrates that this is no longer a typical conflict but a humanitarian catastrophe testing the global conscience. He asserted that, under these circumstances, one must either oppose these crimes or unwittingly become complicit in them. He further added that what is happening in Gaza today cannot be described as a war but rather a genocide against a defenseless population targeted by an army equipped with the most advanced weapons. Al-Tayeb highlighted the large number of civilian casualties, especially children, as clear evidence of this reality. The Grand Imam also criticized the lack of genuine international will to realize a two-state solution, noting that this plan has been proposed for more than a quarter of a century without any serious steps taken toward its implementation. In his view, such inaction has laid the groundwork for ongoing injustice and violence. He then pointed to a shift in global public opinion, stating that unlike in the past, many nations today—particularly in Western countries—are holding street protests condemning the atrocities in Gaza and accusing the occupiers of committing crimes against humanity. At the conclusion of the meeting, Al-Azhar specifically praised Italian port workers who refused to load ships carrying weapons intended for use in Gaza, considering this action a sign of their awakened conscience and human responsibility.
