Thousands of Egyptians Rally against Al-Sissi’s Return of Islands to Saudi Arabia

Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets to protest President Al-Sissi’s decision to transfer sovereignty of two islands at the mouth of the Straits of Tiran to Saudi Arabia, calling for the president to step down. In his two years as president, it’s the first time Al-Sissi has been the target of mass rallies demanding his resignation. For his part, the president has been arresting and jailing journalists and activists who foment the situation; and has deployed thousands of security personnel into the streets of Cairo. Meanwhile, on Monday an Egyptian court sentenced 12 men to jail terms ranging from 3 to 12 years for homosexuality under the “debauchery law.”