Days earlier, groups allied with the ruling establishment had called for public rallies in support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s handling of the war in Gaza. They pressed the public to grant Sisi a “popular mandate” (tafwid) just weeks before he faced re-election for a third term in office. Seeking to capitalize on widespread outrage at Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians, Sisi’s allies had hoped the rallies would bolster his popularity and drown out public discontent at the deteriorating economy. October 20, however, did not turn into the hoped-for Sisi lovefest.