Palestinian presidential advisor: Israeli occupation fuelling global cycle of violence

A senior adviser to the Palestinian president has said that the Israeli occupation bears responsibility for dragging the world into a dangerous cycle of violence, following the deadly shooting attack in Sydney, Australia.

Dr Mahmoud al-Habash, adviser to President Mahmoud Abbas, said that while the Palestinian leadership unequivocally rejects attacks on civilians anywhere and adheres to the principle that no one should bear responsibility for the actions of others, the root cause of escalating global tensions lies in Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Speaking during an interview on Cairo News Channel’s Midday programme, al-Habash said that an objective analysis of recent events shows “a single party” pushing the world towards revenge-driven violence fuelled by ethnic and religious hatred. He warned that the Israeli occupation is deliberately steering the situation in this direction through its policies and actions.

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Al-Habash stressed that Israel has repeatedly been warned against crossing “dangerous red lines”, including attempts to provoke a wider religious conflict. He pointed in particular to violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites, most notably the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and to the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

He said these actions inevitably provoke anger not only among Muslims, but among people worldwide who are disturbed by scenes of widespread killing, destruction and violations of international law in Palestine, especially in Gaza.

The comments came after the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that one Israeli was killed and another injured in a shooting during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Australian authorities said that twelve people were killed and at least 29 wounded in the attack.

Palestinian officials reiterated their rejection of attacks on civilians while warning that continued Israeli policies risk fuelling further instability and violence beyond the region.

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