The bias exhibited by Saudi media outlets such as Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath in favor of the Israeli occupation has been increasingly evident over the past year. This alignment has reached the extent that Israeli officials have openly praised these channels for amplifying the Israeli narrative (as reported on Al-Akhbar on 28/8/2024). Months ago, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan revealed that Al-Arabiya “collaborates directly with the Israeli army and receives exclusive information in exchange for presenting a favorable image of Israel to the Arab audience” (Al-Akhbar, 27/9/2024).
A recent report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz (16/12/2024) further highlighted this collaboration, shedding light on the role of Al-Arabiya in disseminating the Israeli narrative, particularly during the war on Gaza and its ties with Israeli security agencies. According to the report by Shirin Falah Saab, Israeli media often relies on Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath for information since these outlets receive direct security briefings from Israeli sources, claiming these sources are “reliable.”
Filling Israel’s Media Gaps
The report outlines how these Gulf channels fill the void left by Israeli military censorship and media blackout within the occupied territories. Being external to Israeli jurisdiction, they are not bound by its military censorship laws. This makes them ideal for deliberate leaks designed to influence Arab public opinion.
The report also draws a comparison between Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya and Qatar’s Al-Jazeera, which has often been viewed as its main competitor. Unlike Al-Jazeera, which provides a platform for resistance movements and their narratives, particularly in Gaza, Al-Arabiya was founded by Saudi Arabia to counterbalance Al-Jazeera. This has resulted in Al-Arabiya adopting an Israeli-friendly narrative to “balance” Arab media coverage, which has traditionally leaned toward American and Israeli interests with limited exceptions.
Manipulating Arab Public Opinion
Israeli security agencies reportedly use Gulf media outlets as a testing ground to gauge public reactions to sensitive issues. By leaking information to these channels, Israeli officials assess public sentiment and decide whether to confirm or deny the reports. This practice, as detailed in the Haaretz report, allows Israel to bypass its own censorship and manipulate narratives through media platforms like Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath.
The report also cites examples of Saudi and Emirati media’s role in amplifying Israeli propaganda. For instance, during the assassination of Hashem Safi Al-Din, Hezbollah’s heir apparent, Israeli media prominently featured reports from Saudi outlets. Following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on October 3, Al-Hadath quickly reported Safi Al-Din’s death based on “Saudi sources,” even before any official Israeli confirmation, which came three weeks later.
Similarly, after the assassination of Hezbollah-Syrian Army liaison officer Salman Jumaa in Damascus, Israeli outlets again relied on Al-Hadath’s coverage, only for the Israeli military to confirm the killing hours later.
Saudi Media as a Preferred Source
The report notes that Israeli journalists view Saudi media as a trustworthy source for sensitive information. One senior journalist told Haaretz: “It is well-known among journalists that Saudi media, especially Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath, works with Israel. When a Saudi outlet publishes a report or quotes a source, it’s likely that the information came from an Israeli source.”
Moreover, Emirati media such as Asharq News and Egypt’s El-Raad, owned by Emirati interests, also play a role in spreading Israeli narratives. The report adds that other Saudi-owned outlets like Asharq Al-Awsat and Kuwait’s Al-Jarida are similarly complicit in promoting Israeli propaganda in the region.
A Historical Relationship
This secretive relationship between Israeli security agencies and Arab media is not new. Israeli veteran journalists told Haaretz that such practices date back years. In 2011, Haaretz published an article titled “How a Kuwaiti Newspaper Became a Mouthpiece for Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office,” highlighting Al-Jarida’s use for spreading Israeli government narratives in Lebanon and Syria.
Media Manipulation and Hostage Negotiations
An example of this tactic was seen in December when Saudi-owned Elaph reported details of a potential hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, involving the release of senior Israeli officers. Israeli officials quickly denied the report, which would have been difficult to refute had it appeared in Western outlets like The New York Times. By funneling sensitive information through Arab media, Israeli officials can test public reactions and adjust their narratives accordingly.
The Take
The Haaretz report underscores how Gulf media outlets, particularly those funded by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, serve as extensions of Israeli public diplomacy. By disseminating Israeli narratives, these platforms not only shape public opinion in the Arab world but also provide Israel with a convenient way to bypass its own censorship. While Saudi Arabia maintains no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, its media has become an indispensable tool for advancing Israeli interests in the region.
