Is Mohammad Bin Salman an advocate for Zionism?
A few weeks ago, Saudi Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa, a high-ranking religious leader, visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. This visit marked the 75th anniversary of its liberation, signifying the end of the Nazi Holocaust. While many Muslim scholars have been to the site, Al-Issa is the most senior religious leader to do so, signifying a significant move.
Regardless of faith, visiting Auschwitz is an act of rejecting unjustified killing. Al-Issa, an ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, isn't exempt from this belief. However, bin Salman's intentions behind sending Al-Issa to the camp extend beyond religious contexts.
Bin Salman seemingly aims to show his support for Israel, a country that uses the Holocaust for political gain. As pointed out by journalist Richard Silverstein, Israel has exploited the event for colonial purposes, utilizing its recognition as a victim of genocide to manipulate global politics.
In a ploy to demonstrate his Zionist credentials, bin Salman dispatches Al-Issa to foster relationships with Evangelical Christians, who are typically strong supporters of Israel. Al-Issa has even suggested forming a Muslim-Christian-Jewish interfaith delegation, which might as well be considered a Zionist troika.
While Zionism isn't a religion, it does have non-Jewish supporters. Israeli writer Sheri Oz is one such example, insisting that non-Jews can be Zionists. Bin Salman's Zionism has been evident in his close relationship with Zionists, his positive approach towards Israeli occupation, and his advocacy for establishing a Jewish state in Palestine.
Bin Salman's Zionism is also reflected in his support for US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which benefits Israel at the expense of Palestinian rights. He participated in the Bahrain conference, where the US deal's economic side was announced, paving the way for other Arab nations to align with Israel.
Zionism's influence extends beyond religious parameters, with controversial figures such as Israeli blogger Jonathan Ofir arguing that it masks inherent apartheid and leads to Palestinian dispossession. Bin Salman's actions—such as imprisoning Palestinians and blaming them for peace disparities—further reinforce this perspective.
It's important to note that the views expressed in this article are the author's own and may not reflect the editorial policy of our website.
Insight: Definition of Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish nationalist movement that seeks to establish and uphold a Jewish state in Palestine, traditionally perceived as the historical homeland of the Jews. It originated in Europe in the late 19th century as a response to antisemitism, with the goal of creating a national homeland for Jews based on self-determination. Zionism encompasses various ideologies, including political and Labor Zionism, culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Although primarily a Jewish movement, non-Jewish individuals have supported Zionist goals for various reasons, often driven by political or strategic interests.
- Al-Issa's visit to Auschwitz, despite the seniority of his position, is an act of rejecting unjustified killing.
- Al-Issa, an ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, isn't exempt from this belief.
- Bin Salman's intentions behind sending Al-Issa to the Auschwitz concentration camp extend beyond religious contexts.
- Israel has exploited the Holocaust for political gain, as pointed out by journalist Richard Silverstein.
- Bin Salman dispatches Al-Issa to foster relationships with Evangelical Christians, who are typically strong supporters of Israel.
- Al-Issa has even suggested forming a Muslim-Christian-Jewish interfaith delegation, which might as well be considered a Zionist troika.
- Israeli writer Sheri Oz is one example of a non-Jew who supports Zionism.
- Bin Salman's Zionism has been evident in his close relationship with Zionists, his positive approach towards Israeli occupation, and his advocacy for establishing a Jewish state in Palestine.
- Bin Salman's Zionism is also reflected in his support for US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which benefits Israel at the expense of Palestinian rights.
- He participated in the Bahrain conference, where the US deal's economic side was announced, paving the way for other Arab nations to align with Israel.
- Zionism's influence extends beyond religious parameters, with figures such as Israeli blogger Jonathan Ofir arguing that it masks inherent apartheid and leads to Palestinian dispossession.
- Bin Salman's actions, such as imprisoning Palestinians and blaming them for peace disparities, further reinforce this perspective.
- Zionism is a Jewish nationalist movement that seeks to establish and uphold a Jewish state in Palestine, originating in Europe in the late 19th century as a response to antisemitism.
