As the kingdom indicates that it is willing to accept diplomatic relations with the Jewish state provided that it commits to Palestinian statehood Saudi Arabia has increased the number of arrests of its nationals for posting on social media about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Restrictions on free speech and political expression, as well as detentions for online remarks made by anybody, even those older than ten years, are commonplace in Saudi Arabia. However, diplomats and human rights organizations headquartered in Riyadh claim that security concerns related to the fatal Oct. 7 Hamas incursion of Israel and its aftermath are the reason behind the new wave of arrests.
Rising tensions in the digital sphere
Authorities in the Hamas-run enclave claim that over 34,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s retaliatory assault of Gaza, and many more are in critical need of food and medical attention. This has led to widespread anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab world and in Western nations, such as the US, where violent confrontations have broken out on college campuses. In the US, hundreds of protestors were taken into custody.
According to some of the persons, who wished to remain anonymous owing to the sensitive nature of the subject, Saudi Arabia and its regional allies, including Egypt and Jordan, have been concerned about the trend and fear that Iran and Islamist organizations may use the war to spark a wave of protests. Regional leaders are anxious to prevent a recurrence of the Arab Spring, which occurred more than ten years ago.
Saudi Arabia’s response
According to persons within and outside Saudi Arabia with knowledge of the situation, one of the recent Saudi detentions was an executive from a business that was part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic reform plan, a major component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s agenda. According to the police, the inmate stated opinions about the Gaza conflict that were considered provocative. According to the people, an individual advocating for the boycott of American fast food outlets in the kingdom, as well as a media figure who stated that Israel should never be forgiven, had been jailed.
The participants agreed to offer information as long as their identities and those of the detained were kept anonymous. Requests for comments were not answered by the Human Rights Commission of the government or the Saudi Ministry of Interior. The arrests were confirmed by a person with knowledge of the Saudi government’s thinking, who also credited the authorities for trying to prevent individuals from expressing comments about the war online that may jeopardize national security and for being on high alert following October 7.
Significance of the shift
The largest gathering of Saudi opposition personalities and activists is taking place in the US on Thursday, after the assassination of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi, a former insider of the royal court who was killed by Saudi operatives in 2018. They are anticipated to present what they refer to as “the people’s vision” for the kingdom, which places a high priority on the liberation of all political prisoners and free expression.
The arrests of Saudi nationals for posting content connected to Gaza suggest that Prince Mohammed’s government would impose strict measures on its people who do not follow the rules when it comes to repairing relations with Israel. Prior to the events of October 7, the kingdom was in talks with the US on this matter. Earlier this year, Riyadh and Washington restarted negotiations on a defense accord and US assistance in initiating a civilian nuclear program. Should a deal be reached, Israel will be invited to join a three-way pact, failing which it will risk being left behind.
Regional dynamics
Saudi Arabia has been strongly denouncing Israel for its assault in Gaza since October 7 and calling for an immediate cease-fire. However, Saudi Arabia has also stated that it is ready to improve relations with Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdraws forces and agrees to the creation of a Palestinian state. But the second scenario is still unlikely, particularly as long as Netanyahu’s far-right government holds power.
According to Jane Kinninmont, policy and impact director at the European Leadership Network and a Gulf specialist, Riyadh’s efforts to quell pro-Palestinian sentiment on social media might be an indication that the country is sincere about normalizing relations with Israel.
Implications for diplomacy
One Saudi citizen, who sees his family member imprisoned for a pre-war internet post on a regular basis at a maximum-security facility south of Riyadh, claimed he has been informed by his relative that the number of inmates at the institution has significantly increased over the last six months. Human rights organizations and a number of diplomats stationed in the Saudi capital have confirmed this, stating that they have been monitoring an increase in arrests linked to social media since October 7.