As in the rest of the Arab world, Saudi Arabia's blogs have been full of commentary on the events in Gaza. However, there is no consensus as to who is politically responsible.
Saudiwoman is pleased to see what her country is doing:
It makes my heart swell with pride to know that my country is trying to do something for the Palestinians in Gaza. A friend who works in the military hospital here in Riyadh told me that for the past two days the hospital has been discharging people left and right to accommodate the wounded from Gaza and today the first airlift arrived. Everyone here in Saudi feels helpless and frustrated when we see the photos of the Israeli air raids aftermath. The photos of bleeding children and leveled buildings are driving us crazy. We need to have something to do. It’s so bad that many people went to government hospitals wanting to donate blood to the Palestinians. So many that the Health minister had to issue a statement saying that the Palestinians need supplies not blood.
But Ahmed Ba-Aboud has a different perspective:
Blogger and journalist Yaser Al-Ghaslan is also frustrated:
و آخر يتكلم عن جهوده في صياغة مشروع قرار عربي لشجب ما يجري بينما مجموعه منهم يخططون لتناول الموضوع ضمن أجندة إجتماعهم المقرر أصلا سابقا، (كلام كلام كلام كلام(.
[…] أحبتي نحن امه لم يبقى منها شئ سوى إسمها، فالشعب لا يعدو من كونه (صوت) يهلل بجميع الإتجاهات حتى اصبح نشازاً و مثيراً للأعصاب لدرجة القرف
Abdul Rahman Allahem thinks Egypt has been unfairly blamed:
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Shahri thinks there's no point blaming any Arab nation:
Writing in another post, Yaser Al-Ghaslan has a very clear idea of who is to blame:
Hala, who currently lives in the USA, asks:
Would wars and weapons be the only means – as ever – to reach resolutions and peace?
Sabria Jawhar says:
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was on an Arabic news show last week in which he basically bragged that Israel is the biggest, baddest and most powerful country in the region and it won’t hesitate to use its might to protect itself. Well, my question is if Israel is indeed the biggest and most powerful country in the Middle East, why doesn’t it take the high road and expend a lot of that negative energy into something positive, like sparing the lives of innocents and demanding the resumption of peace talks with Hamas. The sad fact is the Gaza Strip’s civilians are simply pawns in a power struggle that should have ended long ago. And the price will be more blood.
And Ahmed Al-Omran reports on some demonstrations that have taken place:
On the 19th of December, a few hundred people demonstrated in Qatif, a predominantly Shiite area east of Saudi Arabia, to protest the Israeli siege on Gaza. The protesters lifted posters of Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasarallah and chanted anti-Israeli and anti-US slogans. According to the website Rasid, the demonstration ended peacefully under the eyes of security forces who watched closely. However, tens of young men who demonstrated were arrested in the following week. After Israel started their barbarian attack on Gaza last Saturday, thousands of angry demonstrators took to the streets in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and other countries. In Saudi Arabia, where the law does not give people the right to demonstrate publicly, more than 60 political and human rights activists signed a letter to the Ministry of Interior asking for permission to hold a peaceful demonstration in Riyadh. While activists in Riyadh were waiting for a reply from MOI, protesters in Qatif demonstrated again on Monday, but this time they were faced by the security forces and riot police who fired rubber bullets to break up the protest. Mansour al-Turki, spokesman of MOI, denied that such protest took place. “Street protests are banned in the Kingdom and that the security forces will intervene to enforce the ban,” he added. His denial is not surprising, but everyone knows that people of Qatif have a long history in street protests with major demonstrations held in 1979, 2002 and 2006. […] People should be allowed to protest, but it seems that the government is afraid that people will realize the power of public demonstration and later use it not just to protest against Israel but also to demand their rights. Giving permission to these demonstrations would set a precedent that the government clearly doesn’t want to deal with its results and consequences. 2009 will be interesting.
15 comments
I have little or no pity for either side. They both break any peace accord then blame the other. This fight over territory and recognition began 60 years ago and I believe it will never be resolved until they are made to sit down face to face and locked in a room. They should sit there until an agreement is reached with no food or water. 48 hours later there will be an agreement I bet. Then both groups must abide by it. If either break it then they both sides should be turned into a parking lot.
Only when an agreement is reached that as dire consequences for both will peace be reached
Varies groups in the middle east have been at each others throat for hundreds of years. Almost every country in the middle east have Religious/Ethnic fights. Resolve this issue then pick another. Iran, Iraq, Afganizstan, Lebanon etc.
The only things that have changed in the 60 years is the technology that allows for more death, and the use of teenagers and children to be the mouth pieces and do the suicide work of the radicals (cowards)
i will not talk about who is right or wrong in this conflict.But i will strongly condemn the Hamas leaders for not desisting from firing rockets at a by far stronger opponent.Afterall it is really the palestinian people that are dying and they clearly do not hold the ace in this matter.In the history of wars the poor masses always have to suffer the consequences of the actions of their leaders which most times is motivated by greed and selfimportance!Hamas stop firing rockets and accept a ceasefire for the sake of children and women dying daily!
Great post–very informative for those of us who don’t read Arabic or know the Arab bloggers!!!
Thanks!
There are many reasons:
US, Isreal and West are responsible. The have illegally occupired Paelestanian lands. Ask an sane person would u allow any one to take over a house own by you? No will be answer
Isreal has put seige on Gaza, they have tried all means and have failed.
Did the Saudi people know that there Government donated 46 million dollars to the Clinton.
Do the Saudi know that Halliary Clinton openly support Isreal.
Do a google under donating to Clinton you will see all Arab Government that donated.(qutar, brunei, etc)
It is so ironic when the King visits the Palestenian Injured in the hospital
I pray and Almighty Unite the Muslims
Egypt and Mehmood Abbas who lost election are also to be blamed.
Egypt met with Isreal 3 day before attacked and Hosni Mubaruk has openly stated he supports Abbas (2 x Dictators) and closed of border, He is not honest brokersame like US and the West
Mehmood Abbas turn end on 9 Jan 2009 and Hamas has told him that it would not allow him to carry on.
Shame on All Arab nations.
What arab leader can do for helping Palestinian and Moslem??
The answer is nothing….
Because the arab leader are womanish and girlish. Them just server for them master America (usa) and israell
Where the Moslem now????
Just watching………
Save palestina and save the moslem
The Saudi and all the arab nations are frighteted for there Master US, but they have not learned from Saddam hanging?
Its easy break diplomatic ties with both Satan Isreal (Egypt, Jordan) and Saudi’s with Satan USA by not giving them Oil and doing bussines and all sales in Euro’s that what Saddam did.
The US has fallen and they are going to fall with next 10 years. They dont have money because they do not have honest people.
Can annyone answer me what happen to Sharon, I am sure he is comma and dreaming of all the palestenains he massacared and he hope he suffers.
We should start by boycotting US and Isreal products especially those Companies that openly support Isreal. ordinary people can do it
I believe that Hamas and other pro islamic movements are acting upon and making the rights decisions and actions. Israel have clearly breached all rules of war and humanity. This is evident through their selfish and barbaric one sided attack towards palestinians in gaza and the peacefull muslims throughout the world. This behaviour explains the expansion in so called terrorist activities around the world. These people are merely protecting their land and dignity. Israel has not taken into consideration the after effects of the majority of people around the world (excluding muslims) about the religion the Jews preach and believe. These people are the real terrorists and deserve to be exploited, not innocent muslims who are fighting for their lives and the lives of their families. Israeli politicians and leaders higher in the hierarchy are inhumane and heartless. A country full of cowards with no real men!!!
shabeera is rated. you are the real man. knock one on me
how can some of the most powerful islamic contries in the world stand back and do nothing its all about power and money where is there imaan.If hammas have been smuggling wapons through the tunnels where are they hammas are using rockets “homemade” that were used in world war 2.The israelies have been starving the people of gaza for months there are illegal weapons being used by the isrealies and i wonder why usa are backing them money,power,respect we will all see what obama has to say and do!NOTHING i suspect.
I almost can’t say anything. Yes someone there should or could be blamed about gaza, but just that?. O arabs you and me are the same, watching life news from gaza, the different is I’m thousand km’s from Gaza and you arab’s gaza is just milimeter’s from you