The visit of German and French Foreign Ministers to Damascus highlights that Western media's focus on handshake protocols overshadows crucial discussions on Syrian-European relations, which include regional stability and economic recovery.
Western media chose to trivialize the incident surrounding al-Sharaa's gesture, elevating handshake etiquette over significant issues such as the refugee crisis and post-war justice, thus misrepresenting the complexities of Syrian politics.
The criticism of al-Sharaa's refusal to shake hands critiques a broader problematic trend in which Western norms are imposed on non-Western leaders, reflecting a double standard and cultural insensitivity.
As a Syrian American, I find it offensive that trivial gestures like handshakes are prioritized over the dire issues facing Syria, highlighting the contradictions in how Arab leadership is judged by Western standards.
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