At the recent Athens Democracy Forum, two prominent democracy activists from the Middle East highlighted the ongoing challenges facing democratic systems worldwide, drawing parallels between their own struggles and current developments in the United States.

Tawakkol Karman, a Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate recognized for her nonviolent leadership during Yemen’s Arab Spring protests, expressed deep concern about what she perceives as threats to democracy in the U.S. Karman, who played a pivotal role in the 2011 movement that led to the ouster of long-time Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, noted similarities between the erosion of democratic institutions in Yemen under Saleh’s rule and recent actions in the United States. She pointed to the concentration of power within ruling families, undermining of judicial independence, and attempts to control and discredit the media as early warning signs of authoritarianism. Karman stressed the danger when citizens begin to fear repercussions from leaders for their actions, a dynamic she witnessed firsthand under dictatorship. Despite her concerns, she voiced hope for American democracy, recounting her outreach to conservative communities in the U.S. where she encouraged unity beyond divisive rhetoric.

Karman’s observations come amid Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict, which began after the Houthi movement, backed by Iran and allied with forces loyal to Saleh, seized control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. She called on the international community to support the Yemeni people and resist Iran’s strategic ambitions in the region, particularly concerning control over key maritime routes such as the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Joining Karman in raising alarms about democratic processes was Samer Sinijlawi, a Palestinian activist from East Jerusalem and leader of Masar Jadid (New Path). Sinijlawi spoke about the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections scheduled for November 28 — the first in two decades — which he sees as vital for Palestinian political legitimacy and prospects for peace. He warned against attempts to postpone the vote, emphasizing that repeated delays have bolstered extremist narratives that peaceful change is unattainable. Sinijlawi’s party advocates for a demilitarized Palestinian state, regional economic cooperation, and a negotiated two-state solution that respects the rights and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Having experienced imprisonment during the First Intifada, Sinijlawi underscored the importance of dialogue and mutual recognition in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argued that efforts should focus on how both peoples belong to the land rather than disputing rightful ownership. This approach, he believes, contrasts with long-standing divisions that have been exacerbated by political strategies on both sides, including Israel’s historical support for Hamas in Gaza to weaken moderate Palestinian factions.

Both Karman and Sinijlawi called for proactive engagement and activism beyond symbolic gestures, emphasizing the need for citizens to defend democratic institutions through active participation such as voting. Their reflections highlight the fragility of democracy in regions marred by conflict and political unrest, while also serving as a cautionary tale for established democracies facing internal political challenges. With critical elections approaching in the United States, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, their messages resonate as a reminder of the ongoing global struggle to uphold democratic values and governance.