A Palestinian boy runs for cover following an Israeli airstrike Monday in Rafa, in southern Gaza.

Octavia Nasr
Arab Affairs Editor

The Arab world watches the bombardment of Gaza - and Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel - through the lenses of networks like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. With a special focus on Palestinian casualties that is often emotional - sometimes angry.

An Al-Arabiya report shows a young body being resuscitated in an emergency room as the reporter says, “The wholesale baby killing continues in Gaza.. This baby was sleeping with his siblings when the Israeli strikes hit.. He died along with his brothers.. and his mother.. and his grandfather.. and his uncles.. Only his father is left surrounded by piles of sorrow.” At this point the weeping father says, “They’re all gone.. I have no one left…”

The Arab networks are pumping out round-the-clock coverage of the situation in Gaza - many of them have reporters and cameramen there. So they are witnesses to the effects of Israeli air strikes and shelling…

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A political cartoon created in response to the conflict in Gaza.

Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

A promotional video on Lebanon’s New TV glorifies Hamas and pays tribute to the militant group’s rhetoric and actions, especially Hamas’ Katyusha attacks on Israel. The campaign “Gaza Equals Dignity” is a display of support for Hamas and what the station calls “its resistance of the occupying enemy” in reference to Israel.

On Al-Jazeera and other Arab networks, the coverage of Gaza remains emotional with a focus on what’s happening inside Gaza, in its hospitals and on its streets.

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CNN’s Octavia Nasr reports on the Arab media’s coverage of the Israeli incursion into Gaza.

Arabs took to the streets, critical of their governments’ reaction in the face of Gaza developments. CNN’s Octavia Nasr reports.

People in the French capital Paris demonstrate against the Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

The dramatic developments in Gaza drove Arab citizens to the streets where they displayed anger directed first and foremost at their own governments.

In Yemen, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital Sanaa shouting slogans in support of Gaza and its residents and burning Israeli and US flags. They cried out against the League of Arab States which delayed discussion on the crisis. One demonstrator telling the Doha-based Al-Jazeera network, “The Arab league is worthless.. They’re all worthless leaders and they should all go home.”

In Sudan, the scene isn’t much different. A woman wearing the Hamas banner around her forehead told Al-Manar TV, “Where are the Arab leaders? Where are their actions? Enough condemnation and finger-pointing.. Show Gaza your support.”

Students at the University of Qatar boycotted their classes and demonstrated their support for Gaza. One student spoke excitedly about what he saw as his moral responsibility, “Our ancestors claimed that the news about the Palestinian disaster reached them late in 1948.” He then concluded, “We have a responsibility to our children and the future generations. We can’t tell them we heard about the Gaza disaster of 2008 but didn’t do anything.”

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Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

It all began with a shoe, the ultimate insult in the Arab world. What followed was a reaction of major proportions, reported on Arab media, discussed on Arab streets, and in chat rooms and message boards across the internet.

The internet is buzzing with several shoe-throwing games and comments in Arabic cheering on the shoe thrower. Special websites have been set up, asking people to show their support for the man “who dared” — as one website describes the Iraqi reporter who threw his pair of shoes at the US president. And a FaceBook group in solidarity — not with the reporter — but his shoe, is drawing thousands of supporters.

But not everyone is cheering for the shoe-thrower. While most callers to Al-Baghdadiya, the shoe-thrower’s employer, hailed him as a national hero, critical voices made it to air as well.

A caller by the name of Nasseem Mansour told the Baghdadiya anchor, “This man abused his role as a reporter and insulted the entire journalism profession. His meaningless act was carried out at the expense of the Iraqi people. Only Iraq loses as a result.”

Media in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world are covering the story from all angles, with guests, anchors and reporters, not sure what to make of this unusual news story. Perhaps political cartoons explain the sentiment best:

In Saudi Arabia’s Al-Wattan newspaper, a political cartoon shows Bush entering the history books with the heavy burden of a shoe while US tanks burn in the distance.

From Qatar, Al-Wattan’s political cartoon has a sign asking reporters to leave their shoes outside the briefing room.

From Lebanon’s Annahar, two simple words, printed on the sole of a pair of worn shoes. summarize the end of Mr. Bush’s era.

An Iraqi shouts as he holds up a slipper and a sign as they protest against yesterday's visit by US President George W. Bush and the arrest of an Iraqi journalist in Sadr City.

Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

He threw his shoes at President George W. Bush at the end of the opening statements of a joint press conference in which Mr. Bush bid farewell to Iraq and sealed the security agreement known as SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement). Although, many elevated the shoe-thrower to the level of “national hero,” some put him in the wrong and called what he did “shameful.”

His name is Munthadar al-Zaidi, a reporter for a new Iraqi station called Al-Baghdadiya (The Baghdadi). The station was founded in 2005 and al-Zaidi has worked there since its inception. On its website, Al-Baghdadiya explains that “it is an independent station that broadcasts out of Cairo with offices in Baghdad and Cairo. It is owned by Iraqi businessman and engineer Aoun Hussein Tashlook and has no affiliations to any persons or groups.”

At the end of the press conference, President Bush shook hands with his Iraqi counterpart Nuri al-Maliki, then turned around and said in Arabic as he is looking towards the audience, “Shukran Jazeelan” meaning “Thank you very much.”

At this very moment, al-Zaidi stood up held his shoe up, aimed and shot it towards President Bush. The president ducked and avoided the fast flying shoe. Then al-Zaidi threw the second shoe and shouted, “This is a farewell you dog.” as he was pinned down by security personnel present in the room.

The image of President Bush ducking and President Maliki’s hand trying to protect him from the second flying shoe is plastered on the front pages of every major Arabic newspaper with a variety of captions. Ranging from, “A twin-shoe attack almost hits President Bush in the face. This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people you dog” In Lebanon’s Assafir newspaper, to a headline in the Saudi-owned, London-based Al-Hayat newspaper that reads, “Iraqi reporter throws a pair of shoes at Bush and Maliki. Bush bids farewell to Baghdad stressing that what happened is important for Iraqis to get a taste of freedom.”

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Saudi monarch King Abdullah has called on Muslims to have a honest internal dialogue of Islam after recent events.

Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

Saudi Arabia’s monarch is the custodian of Islam’s two holiest shrines, and the host of the yearly pilgrimage called “Hajj” one of the five pillars of Islam.

On this holy occasion for Muslims which brings hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world to pray and cleanse their souls, King Abdullah’s message is about cleansing the Islamic house.

He said this week in a televised address, “Division, ignorance, and fanaticism are obstacles threatening the hopes of Muslims. And terrorism, which has been threatening the whole world and is attributed to Muslims alone, is caused by acts of fanatics who pretend to be Muslims but in fact represent no one but themselves.”

This year’s pilgrimage to Mecca takes place on the heels of a series of terror attacks in Mumbai against Western and Jewish interests. There are allegations that a Pakistani group with links to Saudi-born Osama bin Laden is behind the attacks.

And the King’s message coincided with news from Guantanamo Bay that five detainees, charged with planning the terror attacks of 9/11/2001, told a judge this week that they’re ready to admit their guilt. All five, including the 9/11 alleged mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, said so in front of family members of some of the 9/11 victims.

The Saudi King knows the world is watching and just as he called for interfaith dialogue among all religions earlier this year, he now says, “Today we need an honest dialogue within Islam itself.”

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Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

In the Arab world, media headlines, editorials and commentaries continue to be very supportive of the U.S. for electing Barack Obama as president. Even the most conservative media, those with known anti-western slant, are sounding positive and offering congratulations.

At the London-based pro-Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, an editorial reads, “It is too soon to judge Barack Obama’s ability to handle the economic crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he has already defeated America’s two most powerful institutions, the Clintons and the conservative right wing… He therefore might be able to handle these explosive dossiers if granted the opportunity…” The editorial continued, “Barack Obama will enter history with his competence, abilities, patience and wisdom… We therefore congratulate him for this great success and congratulate the American people for having chosen change.”

In Saudi Arabia’s pro-government Okaz newspaper, Khalaf al-Harbi wrote, “We cannot hide our admiration for the invigorating American spirit that is not blinded by might or corrupted by supremacy. The United States proves one more time that it is always capable of reinventing itself and staying ahead of other countries that cannot show the same degree of dedication and loyalty to their professed principles.”

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Octavia Nasr
CNN Arab Affairs Editor

The Arab world watched the US elections with much interest and a high level of conviction that the outcome will give them a crystal ball view into the future of relations between their countries and the United States of America.

On Arab media, on the streets, in chat rooms and in cafes, most Arabs were rooting for Barack Obama. Some say they were energized by Obama’s message, others blame what they call the failed Bush policies in the region and the fear that McCain will follow the same path. So, as soon as the announcement of Barack Obama’s victory came out, many people across the Middle East jumped for joy. The congratulatory commentaries also flew on FaceBook and other social networking sites.

Arab satellite channels gave their viewers a front seat view of the elections with explanations, guests and analysis. One thing commentators and ordinary citizens agreed on is that if the US chooses an African-American for president, they will usher in a true new era where “America will be preaching the same brands of democracy, tolerance and freedom it lives first at home.”

Now that the first test is over, on to the burning issues that President-elect Barack Obama receives from his predecessor. In one analyst’s words, “Obama has bought what Bush broke.” The “inherited” challenges are many and they’re serious, some even think they’re insurmountable. They can be broken down into what Arab media call “the hot files.”

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