Dr. Sami Kleib: Algeria, the Throbbing Heart of Palestine, and What About Lebanon?

Authored by: Dr. Sami Kleib

Translated by: Dr. Hana Saada

Wherever you go in Algeria, you will hear the name Palestine mentioned at least once or more. Whether it’s a high-ranking official, a military leader, a minister, a journalist, a doctor, an intellectual, an ordinary citizen, or a café waiter, conversations are never devoid of references to Palestine. Even when President Abdelmajid Tebboune is asked about Palestine, he quickly responds, stating that it is a sacred Algerian cause, and they will not participate in the rush towards normalization.

Palestine: A Sacred Algerian Cause

In a popular café near the beautiful Algiers waterfront, my friend and loyal colleague Soufiane, along with our recently returned colleague Ahmed from London, invited me for coffee and pastries. As we sat down, two Algerian men approached us, one retired from a public position, and the other engaged in trade. They welcomed us as if we were lifelong friends, and the conversation naturally turned to Gaza. Curses were poured on the occupier, and both men, despite their age, expressed readiness to fight against the occupation if given the chance. When asked about normalization as a comprehensive solution in the region instead of wars, they reacted as if bitten by a snake, vehemently rejecting the idea.

Soufiane recalled a similar incident that happened to him some time ago. He mentioned conducting a television interview on the street about Palestine, and when he asked a citizen about those who claim that Palestinian factions also commit crimes against the occupier, the man grabbed the microphone from him, attempting to break it and the camera. Soufiane intervened to calm him down.

The three of us decided to leave the café to take some pictures near the port, where the blue sky and calm sea hinted at a serene atmosphere. The café owner insisted that there was no need to pay the bill because one of the two men had covered it and left.

This is a snapshot of Algeria—simple, genuine love, and generosity without expecting anything in return, with Palestine deeply embedded in the hearts. It is perhaps the only cause, post-liberation, that Algerians unanimously agree upon.

Algeria hoped, after hosting last year’s Arab summit that successfully brought together all Palestinian factions, to mediate and heal the deep wounds between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, restoring unity to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). President Tebboune himself emphasized that speeches alone are not enough and that Palestinians should unite as a starting point for salvation. He called on the Arabs to formulate a genuine and effective strategy amid current global competition and leverage it to save Palestine. Since last year, Algeria has provided Palestinians with around $150 million in financial aid. However, the daggers of some brothers proved to be harsher than the cunning of the enemy.

Revitalizing a Pivotal External Role

Emerging from a tumultuous decade marked by the struggle against extremism and terrorism, and grappling with the aftermath of the final years of the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algeria has transitioned to envisioning a comprehensive Arab project. The country continues to activate its diplomacy in both the African and Arab realms, as well as on the international stage. Remarkably, Algeria has succeeded in re-entering these arenas faster than anticipated.

However, this pursuit places Algeria in the eye of the storm. As the nation of the grand revolution, which endured 70 years of resistance against a colonial power that seized its land and resources for over 130 years, resulting in around 5.6 million martyrs, Algeria’s actions are a cause for concern for several countries. In recent years, Algeria has stood by African nations that expelled France, invested over a billion dollars in African banks, raised the banner of rejecting normalization, and voiced opposition against what it describes as “one of the last systems of racial discrimination in the world.” Algeria has diversified its international relationships, leading to a decline in French investments in favor of other nations.

Upon arriving at the new Houari Boumediene Airport, its grandeur and elegance bear the marks of colossal Chinese projects in Algeria. Just like numerous landmarks and facilities, including the Grand Mosque in the capital, as well as railways and other oil and production sectors. In 2022, Sino-Algerian trade increased by 37%, surpassing the long-standing leader, France, with over $11 billion annually. The airport’s appearance and size may change, but security conditions remain unchanged, with long queues and thorough passport checks lasting between 10 minutes and a quarter of an hour. Algeria recognizes that it is a target, even though it has significantly enhanced its security measures, making authorities vigilant to the smallest details.

Foreign investments hold promising prospects for Algeria. For instance, its trade with Turkey currently exceeds $5 billion and is expected to reach over $10 billion soon.

Algeria’s new and ambitious role, reaching out to Africa through the establishment of a free trade zone two years ago, extending into the Arab world and the global stage, has stirred powerful lobbies against it. These lobbies seek to hinder Algeria’s movement and confine it within its borders. Nevertheless, it seems that the decision to reclaim a broad and effective role by Algeria has been made, and there is no turning back. It is not surprising to, for example, tune into Algerian radio, managed by the vibrant and project-driven journalist Mohamed Baghali, and find a dedicated segment for Africa, while the radio broadcasts songs, chants, and interviews about Palestine throughout the day.

I visited Algeria this time at the invitation of the Ministry of Communication, currently led by former journalist and university professor Dr. Mohamed Laagab. We were a group of media professionals and academics from various Arab countries, and, as is customary on every visit, Algerian media poured their rare affection for any Arab visitor into an invitation to participate in on-air discussions. With every question posed to a colleague, it becomes evident that Palestine is deeply rooted in their hearts, as if our primary cause has been embedded in their upbringing, like the milk of infancy or the delicious dates (Deglet Nour ) since childhood.

Tebboune With His People and Gaza in His Heart

President Tebboune attended the annual celebration for the distribution of certificates to honored Algerian journalists, a yearly tradition that encourages youth and allows senior members of the profession, who are still alive (unlike many of our countries where they pass away), to be recognized. Tebboune stayed with the people for more than two hours, with Gaza present in speeches and conversations. He shook hands with hundreds of people, listened to them, engaged in discussions, and inquired about their well-being. This is a rare scene in our Arab world, where leaders are not afraid to be among their people, likely because he speaks on behalf of their just causes, from Palestine to securing housing and a better life.

The visit to Algeria these days coincides with the date seasons, a fruit that revitalizes the heart and captivates the senses. However, despite its vast territory of 2.382 million square kilometers, Algeria has not fully utilized the fertile lands bestowed upon it by the Creator. It seems that Algerians are not inclined toward agricultural work, even though the price of a kilogram of apples, for example, can exceed $4. Some friends informed me that many Syrian refugees have started working in this sector. Here in Algeria, an Arab feels at home among his people, and doors are opened for him to maintain the cherished dignity that every Algerian (or “Nif” or ‘the nose’ as they are called here) holds dear.

This issue is a matter of concern for every Algerian official because Algeria believes it has been unjustly accused. The minister explained in detail the background of the issue. The oil did not originally come from the state or the national company Sonatrach; instead, it came from a private intermediary company. The oil exchange occurred at sea by mafias, and Algeria offered to compensate Lebanon for this oil with a better quality alternative, even if Algeria wasn’t responsible for what happened. However, Lebanon decided to bring the case to court, leading to tensions.

This case has harmed Algeria, which has always stood by Lebanon and assisted it without expecting anything in return. President Tebboune expressed his anger and asked Prime Minister Najib Mikati to put an end to the issue during their meeting. The Lebanese ambassador to Algeria, Dr. Mohammed Hassan, who comes from the northern region of Lebanon and has a background in business between Ukraine and Turkey, heard harsh words from senior officials. This issue is about national dignity and not a commercial deal with Lebanon, which does not represent more than a small fraction of Algerian oil trade.

Despite the wound caused by this case, President Tebboune instructed the active and dynamic Algerian ambassador to Lebanon, Rachid Belbaki, who also comes from the business world, to separate the issue from support for Lebanon. This was also understood by the Minister of Economy. Despite the fact that the Lebanese judiciary has not yet ruled on the case, Algeria included Lebanon in its budget for 2024 and will resume the flight route between the two countries at the beginning of the year. The Minister of Energy assured me that he is in almost daily contact with his Lebanese counterpart Walid Fayyad, and a strong friendship has developed between them.

Continuing this case may become embarrassing. Algeria, which has stood by Lebanon and Palestine in all their difficulties, does not deserve such a response from Lebanese officials who are shifting blame onto each other. It would have been enough for a high-ranking official to state that Algeria and Sonatrach have no involvement in the matter, and the investigation is ongoing to resolve the issue, along with an apology from a country that has only received goodwill from Algeria to settle the matter. However, Lebanon has its own ways that only God knows.

In the same lunch session, I sat next to the National Gendarmerie Commander, Major General Yahia Ali Oulhadj, an elegant man who resembles Western leaders in appearance, with a height of nearly two meters. Despite his statement that he is advancing in age, he remains a highly athletic figure. I asked him about Lebanon and security cooperation. It is surprising that there is no serious cooperation between the two countries on this level, despite their shared challenges in organized crime, drugs, terrorism, smuggling, and more. It is indeed surprising that Lebanon collaborates with far-flung countries while distancing itself from Algeria. Algeria, on its part, is ready to provide assistance to the Lebanese army, gendarmerie, and various fields, including construction materials, without any compensation. Let’s not forget that Algeria is making rapid progress in combating corruption, something Lebanon also desires. So far, Algeria has imprisoned three prime ministers, ministers, high-ranking military leaders, and numerous businessmen.

Wrapping Up with Palestine 

The culmination of the visit included a press meeting at Al-Fajr newspaper, led by the dynamic, cultured, and authentic colleague Hada Hazem. The focus of the discussion was also on Palestine. A documentary filmed by our Lebanese colleague, Nasima Abdelrahmane showcased. Nasima, whom we Lebanese affectionately refer to as our sister, is married to the distinguished journalist Haidar Haidoura, residing in Algeria for three decades. The film was shot in Gaza, capturing the late President Yasser Arafat and other senior officials after the Oslo Agreement. Despite its age, the film remains relevant in portraying the oppression inflicted by the occupation and the hope for liberation shining in the eyes of the children.

The seminar gathered various journalists, and Palestine, Gaza, and the West Bank were vividly present, just as they are everywhere in Algeria. A visitor, like myself, almost feels as if moving between Gaza, the West Bank, and Al Quds. So, how does the country not deserve the title “The Throbbing Heart of Palestine”?