The hallway of the palace-like Greater Cairo Library in Egypt hosted works by Egyptian and Arab caricaturists in a gallery expressing support for the Palestinian cause and the struggle of the Palestinians in their decades-long conflict with Israel.

Held on Wednesday evening by an Egyptian caricaturists' association in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the gallery displayed 32 works of at least 25 male and female caricaturists from a number of Arab countries including Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, and Jordan.

"The exhibition addresses the Palestinian cause through caricature," said Howaida Ibrahim, an organizer and head of an Egyptian female caricaturists' association.

The Egyptian caricaturist took part in the gallery with two caricatures, the first depicts Israel as a snake whose tail is tightly around Gaza, which is depicted as a fearless Palestinian woman. The second portrays the Israeli occupation as chains obstructing the advance of Palestine.

Ibrahim explained that some of the participant caricaturists, particularly the Palestinians, sent their works to take part in the exhibition but were unable to show up themselves.

Najy al-Najy, cultural counselor of the Palestinian embassy in Cairo, expressed his happiness to attend the gallery and his appreciation of the stance of the Egyptian and Arab caricaturists in support of the Palestinian question.

The exhibition was held less than two weeks after an 11-day tension between Israel and Gaza militants was ended through a Cairo-brokered truce.

"Today's stance of the Egyptian artists and intellectuals is really worth appreciation. We can say it's a stance that supports the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the Palestinians in Jerusalem, Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and Gaza," the Palestinian diplomat told Xinhua at the gallery.

The gallery coincided with a symposium held at the Greater Cairo Library, also on Palestine, along with a group performance by children with special needs of a song and a poem on Jerusalem.

Yasser Osman, the library's director, said that it is the role of a public library to serve Arab causes through holding such intellectual and cultural activities that raise the awareness of its visitors of all ages.

"It's a key role of any public library or cultural center to take the initiative and employ art and culture to serve Arab political causes," Osman emphasized.

He added that Egypt fully supports the Palestinian cause, whether politically or through sending aids and funds to relieve the suffering of the Palestinians and contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza.

One of the works featured in the gallery belonged to 11-year-old Egyptian girl Ruqaya Mohamed who, being motivated by her love and support for Palestine, drew a painting of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"I drew this painting to express my love for Palestine. I painted it last week, starting with outlining it with a pencil, then combining colored pencils with watercolors. I also used a ruler in drawing the straight lines," the little painter told Xinhua.

Refaat el-Sheikh, a visitor in his late 30s, said that he liked the displayed caricatures as they portray the suffering of the Palestinian people under the Israeli occupation.

"Although such galleries will not resolve the Palestinian issue, they are important as a reminder for the people so that they don't forget the Palestinian cause," the man said.

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