Could Public Outrage in Jordan and Egypt Lead to a Breaking Point?

The ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza for months are causing a deep conscience breakage not only in these ancient lands but also in the core countries of the Arabic world. Especially in the streets of Egypt and Jordan, the growing anger has reached a point where it is increasingly difficult to suppress. Images of dying Palestinian children from starvation are forcing the governments of these countries to face a serious legitimacy test in the eyes of their own people. However, the issue is not only humanitarian but it is a equation at the same time that has political, ideological, and strategic dimensions. Both Egypt and Jordan are criticized for remaining silent in the face of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, yet this silence stems from deep structural dependencies and externally driven choices.

Above all, the fundamental reason for the passive and ineffective stance of these two countries against Israel is their high level of dependence on U.S. policies. Whether in terms of economic aid or military and diplomatic support, stepping outside the framework set by Washington could have serious consequences for these administrations. Therefore, both Cairo and Amman avoid strong rhetoric against Israel, tangible sanctions, or diplomatic breaks. Neither recalling ambassadors nor suspending agreements is being considered. The likelihood of decision-making that contradicts Washington’s interests is virtually zero.

On the other hand, the issue is not limited to foreign policy. Both Egypt and Jordan have a historical and ideological allergy toward Hamas, the main actor carrying the resistance in Gaza. Hamas’s roots in the Muslim Brotherhood and its organic ties with the Muslim Brotherhood make the situation even more complex for these two countries. In Egypt, the Brotherhood was declared as a terrorist organization years ago and has been fully suppressed, while in Jordan, a weakened version still exists but is systematically targeted. As such, the empowerment of Hamas or its elevation to hero status among the people is seen as a threat to internal balances.

This sensitivity is clearly visible in the case of Jordan. Dozens of young people who posted messages of support for Gaza or planned actions against Israel have been detained in recent months, and some have received heavy sentences. Activists with emotional ties to the Palestinian resistance have been tried and imprisoned despite growing public reaction. The Jordanian government, which has consistently marked any cross-border action against Israel as a red line, has shown zero tolerance on this matter. Moreover, Hamas’ Gaza representative, Khalil al-Hayya, openly called on the people of Jordan and Egypt to take to the streets to break the blockade, a call that touched a nerve with the regime. Following this call, Jordanian media launched a smear campaign and harsh accusations against Hamas. The message was clear: “Any call that could mobilize the streets is considered an internal intervention by the regime.”

A similar situation is unfolding in Egypt. The closure of the Rafah border crossing to humanitarian aid entering Gaza throughout the war has led to speculation that Cairo is not merely passive but actually complicit in the siege. Furthermore, the fact that aid was not allowed in even before Israel occupied the border caused deep public disappointment. Images of Gaza children dying of starvation struck a deep wound in the Egyptian people’s conscience. Al-Hayyah’s words, “Will neighboring Egypt remain silent while Gaza starves?” deeply affected not only the government but also the people. In response, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a speech designed to appease public opinion, declared, “Egypt is not part of the blockade,” placing the blame on Israel. However, this statement neither soothed the public conscience nor alleviated the severity of the crisis.

The public’s reactions are not something these regimes can easily ignore. Both Egypt and Jordan are home to societies struggling with economic crises, increasing poverty, and political repression. The Gaza issue carries the risk of transforming into a moral uprising that connects with these existing problems. Especially in Jordan, the demographic weight of the Palestinian-origin population requires the regime to act more cautiously. However, what has been seen so far is that there is a deep chasm between the people and the state, and this chasm is widening day by day.

In conclusion, the governments in Amman and Cairo may be able to suppress the streets with security measures in the short term. But in the long run, this will further erode their legitimacy. Not only Israel, but also those who remain silent, will be held accountable for the bloodshed, the tears shed, and the children dying of hunger in Gaza. This anger accumulating in the public consciousness is not only a foreign policy response, but also the basis for a domestic reckoning. And as the time for this reckoning approaches, the pressure on governments will intensify.