The Unending Struggle from Emir Abdelkader to Yahya Sinwar

After the news of Yahya Sinwar's martyrdom spread, the U.S. president, presidential candidates, and secretary of state made back-to-back statements expressing their joy. However, Yahya Sinwar was one of the legitimately elected leaders of a political party, according to the very system they established. Hamas participated in elections in Gaza and won at the ballot box. Neither the U.S., the U.K., nor Israel accepted Hamas' victory. This was a significant indicator. It was clear they harbored deep animosity toward the Palestinian people, offering them no choice but to surrender and submit. Yet, even that was never truly an option. Palestinians were left with no alternative but to leave Gaza and the West Bank. This lack of options is something we should attribute to the U.K. and the U.S., as the concept of a "Jewish state" in Palestine was fundamentally an Anglo-Saxon project from the very beginning. The jubilant reactions of the Americans after Yahya Sinwar’s martyrdom further confirm this. They were quicker than the Israelis to show just how involved they were in today’s conflict. And the British are no different from them.

We will, of course, delve deeper into what this jubilation means and who expressed it. This also applies to those who are deeply saddened by his death. But understanding the struggle of figures like Yahya Sinwar is probably even more important. The “Palestinian Cause,” as an idea, has endured for a century in the face of the expansionist ideologies of the Anglo-Saxons and Zionist Jews. Each generation of Palestinians not only developed new ways to fight but also produced great leaders to carry forward that struggle. From the foundational leaders like Haj Amin al-Husseini and Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, the Palestinian cause has produced powerful figures who inspire new ideas through their resistance. Yahya Sinwar, who is also the author of the book "Thorns and Roses," is one such figure. His martyrdom will undoubtedly leave a deep sense of emptiness and isolation among those devoted to the same cause. However, there is no doubt that this will only be temporary. The Palestinian cause has lasted for over a century, and Palestinians have always found new leaders to guide them through the toughest of times.

The Americans’ uncontrolled displays of joy have made us reconsider our thoughts on Yahya Sinwar and Hamas. From what I can gather, like the Israelis, they are unwilling to face the fear of defeat that lurks within them. Zionist Jews, in an effort to suppress this fear, completely shattered the "Jewish" image they had spent over a hundred years building in just one year after October 7. This has even surprised Turkish writers who, since the 1990s, have been vocal about their attachment to the literature built around the concepts of "Masada" and "Never Again." What has collapsed is not just the "Jewish" image but the entire Anglo-Saxon system. It seems that the Americans are also gripped by a serious fear. After all, Gaza may be one of the world’s smallest battlefields, but it has produced giants.

Of course, we cannot attribute the enormous changes that have occurred over the past year solely to Yahya Sinwar. In fact, the resistance is not limited to Hamas alone. Today, all Palestinians, as one nation, are collectively falling as martyrs for the homeland they are willing to die for. Therefore, it would be unfair to credit the changes of the past year to just one individual. But if we fail to acknowledge this great warrior’s contribution, we would be turning our backs on our historical responsibilities. Moreover, Yahya Sinwar, as a historical figure, has become synonymous with the Palestinian people and taken on the role of representing the Palestinian cause. However, it is clear that this is not enough. The fact that his enemies see him as representing an entire region is evident from their barely concealed cries of joy. So, how should we understand and evaluate the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar?

There could be many different answers to this question, but in my opinion, he has already taken his place among historical figures like Abdelkader al-Jazairi, Emir Abdelkrim, and Omar Mukhtar. These unparalleled figures in Algerian, Moroccan, and Libyan history gave their lives defending the regions of the Mediterranean settled by Muslims. Now, Sinwar has joined their ranks. Palestinians and those living in the heart of the Islamic world will draw great lessons from the life of this great warrior.

For us, reading and reflecting on his book Thorns and Roses is a duty.