The UAE’s recent announcement of the arrest of three individuals accused of killing Israeli Rabbi Zevi Kogan has sparked widespread outrage in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi activists have criticized the swift action taken by Abu Dhabi in apprehending three Uzbek nationals accused of murdering the Jewish rabbi. This reaction is starkly contrasted with the ongoing delay in addressing the case of Saudi football star Fahd Al-Muwallad, who fell from his apartment balcony in Dubai last September.
Double Standards? Saudi Anger Over Unequal Responses
Many Saudi voices on social media have accused UAE authorities of negligence in investigating the case of Al-Muwallad. In contrast, they noted the rapid progress in solving the murder of the Israeli rabbi. This disparity has led to a wave of skepticism and frustration among Saudis.
For over three months, Al-Muwallad, a 30-year-old football icon, has remained in a deep coma due to severe head injuries sustained after his fall. While Emirati authorities initially claimed to be investigating the incident with the Saudi consulate in Dubai, no conclusive updates have been provided.
The incident occurred on September 12 when Al-Muwallad reportedly fell from the second-floor balcony of his apartment in Dubai during a short vacation. Despite the severity of the case, the investigation has seemingly stagnated, leaving many questions unanswered. Al-Muwallad was eventually airlifted to Riyadh via a private Saudi medical flight, yet justice and clarity in his case remain elusive.
The Gaza Contrast: Silence Amid Genocide
The Saudi outrage surrounding these events also sheds light on a glaring inconsistency: the lack of a robust response to the ongoing genocide and mass killings in Gaza. While public discourse has erupted over the UAE’s swift action in the rabbi’s murder and its sluggishness in Al-Muwallad’s case, there has been a deafening silence from many in the Gulf region regarding the atrocities in Gaza.
Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been enduring relentless bombings, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis that has drawn condemnation from the global community. Yet, the reaction from many Arab leaders, including those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has been notably muted or passive. Activists argue that the energy channeled into these isolated incidents could be better directed toward confronting the systematic genocide and mass suffering of Palestinians under Israeli aggression.
Broader Implications for Regional Politics
The disparity in responses highlights growing frustrations among Gulf citizens over perceived political priorities. Critics argue that the swift action in the rabbi’s case reflects the UAE’s efforts to strengthen ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, even at the expense of ignoring regional allies and critical human rights issues.
Meanwhile, the delayed pursuit of justice for Al-Muwallad raises questions about the prioritization of justice for Saudi citizens in Dubai. It also underscores a broader regional trend of sidelining pressing humanitarian causes, like the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, in favor of politically motivated actions.
