Saudi Arabia, Egypt keep mum on Israeli crimes: Author

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have shown "cold indifference" toward crimes committed by the Israeli regime against Palestinian Muslims at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Occupied al-Quds, says an author.

Daud Abdullah, in an opinion piece published by palestinechronicle.com on Wednesday, wrote that the restrictive measures imposed by Zionist regime at the compound had failed to stir the moral fiber of the religious establishments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

“The religious institutions in holy cities of Mecca, Medina and also Cairo have gone absent without leave despite the dangerous and ever-worsening situation at the Noble Sanctuary in the Occupied al-Quds,” wrote Abdullah.

“Their cold indifference to the plight of Islam’s third holiest site is unworthy of institutions that profess to be the preeminent leaders of Muslims around the world.”

Religious institutions sponsored by Riyadh and Cairo, he said, have a bad record of always working in concert with their political leaders, who are in cahoots with the United States and Israel.

“Seldom have they spoken out without the consent of their political masters who, in turn, never act without the approval of the United States,” Abdullah said.

“Washington’s support, they believe, is essential not only for their security but their very survival.”

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have accelerated efforts to close the space in which the entirely legitimate resistance to Israel’s occupation can function, he said. “Whether through the closure of borders, detention of activists or the prohibition of websites, the intent and impact have been the same; they have created the conditions favorable for Israel to pursue its objective of Judaising al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque with minimal opposition.”

This, however, is only half of the explanation for their disturbing silence on events across the Occupied Palestinian Lands, he stated. 

According to the author, the other half stems from the fact that both states are now spearheading a regional drive for full normalization of relations with Israel. “Their belief and reasoning is that friendship with Zionist regime is the best guarantee of US support for themselves.”

Pointing to the so-called Arab Islamic American Summit, which was held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the author said the gathering had furthered the Israeli agenda in the region.

“Against this background, the Riyadh summit of Muslim countries in May provided Saudi Arabia with what the Americans viewed as a final opportunity to chart a new direction of travel. That Donald Trump chose Saudi Arabia as the first country to visit as President emphasized the importance he attached to reining-in the Kingdom.”

“Though not represented officially at the summit, Israel emerged as its real beneficiary. To its delight and satisfaction the Zionist regime saw the US president stand up in an Arab capital and link the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, with Daesh and Al-Qaeda.”

ME