Mashal Says Israel Becoming ‘Global Burden,’ Calls for Sustained Pressure

Hamas leader Khaled Mashal said the world is increasingly viewing Israel as a burden on global security and stability, arguing that changing public attitudes—especially among younger generations in Western countries—signal a turning point in the international debate over Palestine.

Shifting Global Perceptions

Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum, Mashal said Israel has become “a moral burden, a political burden, and an economic burden,” asserting that this perception is no longer limited to activists but is spreading across societies.

He pointed to what he described as visible changes among political elites, street movements, university campuses and social media platforms in Europe and the United States, saying younger generations are playing a central role in reshaping public opinion.

Call for Active Pressure on Israel

Mashal urged Arabs, Muslims and supporters of justice worldwide to move beyond what he called purely defensive policies. He argued that defense alone is no longer sufficient and called for sustained efforts to pursue Israel politically, legally and morally on the international stage.

According to Mashal, the objective should be to establish Israel as a “pariah entity” that loses its international legitimacy, drawing a parallel with the global campaign that helped bring an end to apartheid in South Africa.

“With persistence and collective effort, the world eventually submits to reality,” he said, adding that just as the apartheid regime collapsed, the “page of occupation” would eventually be turned in favor of Palestine.

Resistance Framed as Inevitable

Mashal reiterated that armed resistance would continue as long as occupation persists. He described resistance as a natural and legitimate right of peoples living under occupation, citing international law and historical precedent to support his argument.

“Our problem with Israel is not only that it occupies Palestine and attacks the Palestinian people,” he said, framing the conflict as broader than territorial control.

Israel as a Regional Threat

Expanding his remarks beyond Palestine, Mashal argued that Israel poses an existential threat to the wider region. He rejected the notion that Israel only threatens those who confront it militarily, citing developments in neighboring and regional states.

He pointed to Syria, saying Israel reacted with hostility as new political realities began to take shape, extending actions beyond border areas into the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and the outskirts of Damascus. According to Mashal, Israel seeks to weaken Syria, prevent it from becoming a unified state and interfere in its social fabric.

Mashal also highlighted Jordan, warning that developments in the occupied West Bank—particularly plans for forced displacement—pose a direct threat to Jordan’s stability. He cited Egypt as another example, noting that despite its peace treaty with Israel, Israeli officials have expressed concerns over the growing strength of the Egyptian military.

Türkiye, Gulf States and Wider Pressure

Turning to Türkiye, Mashal said Israel now speaks not only of confronting a so-called “Shiite axis” but also a “Sunni axis” that includes Türkiye, Syria, political Islam and resistance movements.

He also referenced Saudi Arabia, arguing that regional trade routes and maritime corridors are being used to encircle and pressure Arab and Islamic countries. Mashal further cited Qatar, describing it as a small state with an influential role, and accused Israel of targeting Doha politically despite its mediation efforts and lack of direct conflict.

Mashal concluded that these dynamics demonstrate, in his view, that Israel’s policies extend beyond Palestine and represent a destabilizing force across the Middle East.