A Closer Look at Sinwar's Controversial Ally

Journalist Ehud Yaari recently wrote an article on N12, describing Tariq al-Zomor, the mastermind behind the assassination of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, as being linked to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In an interview with Arab media, al-Zomor commented on the article, stating that he 'consistently advocates for the protection of human rights.'

Al-Zomor served 29 years in Egyptian prisons for his role in Sadat's assassination. Recently, he faced sharp criticism for supporting Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza who was responsible for attacks in Israel. During the interview, he clarified that Yaari's words 'are read by decision-makers in Israel and the general public,' but he refrained from directly addressing accusations of his propaganda campaign supporting Sinwar.

It is believed that al-Zomor's response stems from pressure by his hosts in Qatar, who are concerned that his support for Sinwar causes international political discomfort. In the interview, al-Zomor added that he supports Palestinian rights, as well as the rights of other minorities worldwide, such as Copts in Egypt and African Americans in the United States. He clarified that his stance on human rights is consistent and not tied to a specific group, although his support for Sinwar is revealing.

Since his release, al-Zomor has become a significant public figure. He has written several books, frequently appears on social media, posts videos on YouTube, and engages with young Arab audiences, which could be perceived as incitement. Previously, his attempt to establish a political party in Egypt failed due to governmental refusal, leaving him a controversial figure in Egypt's and the Arab world's political scene.