Within the framework of the 2024-2025 cultural season, the Center for Middle East Research and Future Studies, in cooperation with the Faculty of Mass Communication, held a conference entitled “Repercussions of Hostile Israeli Policies on the Middle East Region,” under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, and Dr. Hatem El-Abd, Director of the Center and Conference Rapporteur.

The conference was held at the Faculty of Mass Communication under the generous hospitality of Prof. Heba Shaheen, Dean of the Faculty, and Prof. Salwa Soliman, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, and in the presence of a number of heads of the scientific departments at the center, a group of academics, and a crowd of university students.

The conference was attended by His Excellency the Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed El-Araby, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Mohamed Salman, Professor of Political Science at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, at Cairo University.

Dr. Heba Shaheen opened the conference by welcoming the attendees and praising the pioneering and educational role played by the Middle East Research Center through the conferences and seminars it holds that aim to raise cultural and political awareness among university youth and discuss the most important issues of the day. She expressed her thanks to the two distinguished guests.

Dr. Hatem Al-Abd expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the Faculty of Mass Communication for hosting this important conference and its continuous support for the Middle East Research Center. His Excellency also stressed the importance of the conference topic, which addresses one of the most important current issues, namely the Palestinian issue that concerns the entire Arab nation. Therefore, it was necessary to seek the help of the value, stature, and pioneer of Egyptian diplomacy and one of its pioneers, His Excellency the Minister, Ambassador Mohamed El-Araby, due to his rich experience and long history in the political and diplomatic field and Middle East issues, as well as Dr. Mohamed Salman, who is one of the most prominent academics and seasoned political analysts on the Egyptian and Arab levels.

In his speech, His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed El-Araby pointed out that the Palestinian issue has indeed entered a dangerous turning point that is completely different from all previous stages of the peace process, as there is now a direct and explicit threat to the dissolution of the State of Palestine. His Excellency stressed that Egypt's position is firm and explicit regarding the current threats, and that it has always received Arab brothers from all countries, but it has never and will never accept the displacement of a single Palestinian from his lands, and that it will stand firm against any attempt to liquidate the Palestinian issue.

For his part, Dr. Mohammed Salman expressed the seriousness of the current situation, and that the hostile Israeli policies have led to the exacerbation of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and created an atmosphere of continuous tension, in addition to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation within the Palestinian territories and what the Palestinian people suffer from the policies of oppression, starvation, and systematic intimidation practiced by the Israeli military leadership, in addition to the expansion of the scope of Israeli military operations in the Middle East region, which has increased the intensity of tension and readiness for conflict, in addition to the economic and social repercussions resulting from the hostile Israeli policies, the consequences of which extend beyond the borders of the Palestinian territories to neighboring countries, threatening the security and peace of the entire Middle East region.

After the speakers finished their speeches, the floor was opened for discussion in front of the attendees and all their inquiries were answered. At the end of the conference, Dr. Hatem Al-Abd called on Egyptians to stand behind the political leadership and national institutions, noting that it is a moment of national alignment par excellence, asking the educated elite to consolidate belonging in the circles surrounding them and to instill confidence in the political leadership.

Then, Her Excellency the Dean, Prof. Heba Shaheen, kindly presented the two guests of the conference with the shield of the Faculty of Media, and for his part, Dr. Hatem Al-Abd presented them with certificates of honor, expressing his deep gratitude and sincere thanks for their fruitful participation and distinguished presence.