The monarchy co opted Kuwait’s Islamists as a bulwark against
or be prepared to face Trump’s wrath
Of course, this is a notable exception to the pattern of Gulf Arab states lately increasing their outreach to Israel. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tacitly acknowledged Israel’s right to exist in April. The UAE and Bahrain sent national teams to compete in the first leg of a major cycling race this spring in Israel. In June, an Israeli delegation visited Bahrain, and in May, Bahrain’s foreign minister tweeted about Israel’s right to defend itself.
Kuwait remains staunchly resistant to this trend. It’s the one “conservative Gulf Arab state” that still engages in the systematic condemnation of Israel. To put this canada goose outlet new jersey in perspective, even Hamas supporting Qatar maintains low canada goose deals level ties with Israel.
For Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, it all comes down to their shared concerns over Iranian adventurism and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. As Mohammed bin Salman said, Iran’s supreme leader “makes Hitler look good.” So they have sought out Israel, which has stood up to Iranian aggression both by striking Iranian assets in Syria and even stealing nuclear canada goose fleece uk secrets out of Iran.
Kuwait, however, maintains neutrality with Iran. It doesn’t need Israel as a partner to challenge the regional aggression of the Islamic Republic, and it’s trying to keep it that way.
Moreover, in Kuwait’s political system, being anti Israel is cheap canada goose jackets uk just good politics. In October, Kuwait’s speaker of parliament Marzouq al Ghanim lashed out at two Israeli Knesset members, calling them “occupiers and child murderers.” Amid applause, al Ghanim yelled at the canada goose black friday sale Israelis, “grab canada goose outlet your bags and leave this hall.” As thanks, Palestinians named him “Personality of the Year 2018.”
In May, Islamist MP Waleed al canada goose outlet vancouver Tabatabai decried canada goose sylvan vest uk Israelis as “Zionist dogs” after the IDF struck Iranian targets in Syria. Tabatabai famously visited Syrian rebels in Idlib and was photographed wearing a rebel uniform while holding a gun. In early June, another MP thanked the Kuwaiti people, emir and government for their permanent, resolute response to the “Zionist occupation.”
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The popularity of canada goose outlet new york city Israel bashing in Kuwait’s political system can also be explained by the prevalence of Salafis. Their political power is actually derived in part by their fierce opposition to Israel and blatant anti Semitism. The monarchy co opted Kuwait’s Islamists as a bulwark against its opposition following https://www.chinese-sharpei.de anti government protests in 2011. The emir plays the Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood off each other, while encouraging both to serve as counterweights to domestic opposition.
Salafis’ influence may also explain Kuwait’s abysmal terror finance record. Three individuals currently under US sanctions canadian goose coat black friday for funding al Qaeda are also faculty members canada goose outlet canada at state funded Kuwait University, earning public benefits. The Revival of Islamic Heritage cheap canada goose bodywarmer Society which the US Treasury designated as a terror group in 2008 for funding an al Qaeda network still canada goose outlet official operates in Kuwait.
Kuwait’s opposition to Israel has hardened since becoming a rotating member of the UN Security Council. Kuwait has stymied US efforts to censure Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for an anti Semitic speech, and it canada goose jacket outlet store has blocked canada goose finance uk US condemnation of Hamas attacks against Israel from Gaza. Reports suggest that Jared Kushner, feeling undermined by Kuwait’s efforts, held canada goose retailers uk a “brief and stormy” meeting with the Kuwaiti envoy to Washington.
Kuwait is clearly signaling its intent to dissent from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain on normalization with Israel. But if Trump’s regional peace plan is released cheap canada goose in the coming weeks or months, Kuwait may be caught in the crossfire.
Defying the United States is quite different from maintaining independence in an internal Gulf Cooperation Council squabble. Nor is there likely room for nonalignment in Trump’s strategy to contain Iran.
Jonathan Schanzer is senior vice president at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Varsha Koduvayur is a senior research analyst on the Gulf Arab states.