"No" Free Passage through the Suez Canal

"No" Free Passage through the Suez Canal

Suez Canal: Trump's Statements Spark Egyptian Anger

US President Donald Trump's statements, in which he demanded that American military and commercial vessels pass through the Suez Canal in Egypt and the Panama Canal without paying any fees, were met with widespread disapproval and anger at the political and popular levels in Egypt.

While social media witnessed angry reactions from Egyptians to Trump's statements, many politicians and members of the Egyptian parliament expressed their dissatisfaction with these statements.

Political Reactions

Khaled Fouad, head of the People's Democratic Party, that US President Donald Trump has a habit of making statements that exceed the limits of his authority and the limits of international law and norms. He pointed out that Egypt opposes any attack on its internal sovereignty and always calls for peace.

He emhasized that the response to such statements must be to rally around the Egyptian political leadership and adhere to national principles, after everyone has confirmed that Egypt is on the right path by supporting its security and sovereignty.

He added that Trump must know that Egyptians sacrificed their blood and lives to preserve their country's sovereignty, independence, and the Suez Canal, noting that Egypt has a long history of struggle that is several times greater than that of the United States itself.

For her part, Jihan Madih, head of the October Egypt Party, said in an exclusive interview with Sky News Arabia that Trump's statements about the Suez Canal are completely unacceptable, describing them as political arrogance that disrespects the sovereignty of states and international laws.

She explained that Egypt is not a country that can be blackmailed or threatened, and that the Suez Canal was dug with the blood of Egyptians and will remain a symbol of their sovereignty and national pride. She emphasized that Egypt will not relinquish a single iota of its rights and will not allow any power, no matter how small, to dictate its terms, because Egypt is strong with its leadership, army, and people. Anyone who dreams of undermining its sovereignty will collide with the wall of Egypt's unwavering will.

She stressed that such statements do not merit a direct official response, but they require a firm clarification that Egypt knows very well how to protect its rights and interests and defend its free decisions.

Attempt to Pressure Egypt

In a statement to Sky News Arabia, Reda Farahat, Vice President of the Conference Party, said that Trump's talk about the Suez Canal has nothing to do with diplomacy and international relations, and is not consistent with any rules of international law. He pointed out that the US president relies on strong rhetoric in his statements.

He considered that Trump's statements were intended to pressure Egypt because of its firm and supportive stance on the Palestinian cause and its rejection of Israeli and American policies regarding the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

He continued that Trump's decisions and actions are often incomprehensible and at other times contradictory, explaining that he is trying to create hostility with all parties, describing Trump's statements that the United States is the reason for the existence of the Suez Canal as provocative.

He explained that the Suez Canal was established and existed historically before the United States, emphasizing that major countries and organizations must protect international peace and security.

Parliamentarians' Response

Egyptian Parliamentarian Mustafa Bakri expressed his categorical rejection of Trump's statements, stressing that Egypt is an independent, sovereign state, and the Suez Canal is Egyptian. He pointed out that the American statements come in response to Egypt's rejection of the Palestinian displacement plan.

Parliamentarian Sami Soos also asserted that Trump's claim that his country has the right to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals without paying any fees, given that the United States is the party responsible for their establishment, is a false and misleading claim intended to undermine the truth and an attempt to extend influence and power. He emphasized that Egypt has not and will not accept this under any circumstances.