KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. JAKARTA. Freedom of speech is a scarce commodity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where even Saudi citizens are prohibited from criticizing Israel, currently engaged in conflict with the Palestinian freedom fighters, Hamas.

As reported by Bloomberg News, Saudi Arabia has escalated its arrests of citizens for social media posts related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

This policy comes as the kingdom signals its readiness to approve diplomatic relations with Israel. The restoration of Saudi Arabia - Israel diplomatic relations could be achieved on the condition that Israel commits to the independence of the Palestinian state.

According to Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia has detained citizens for commenting online - including those over the age of 10. 

Restrictions on freedom of speech and political expression are commonplace in Saudi Arabia. 

However, according to diplomats and human rights groups based in Riyadh, a recent spate of arrests has been motivated by security concerns, particularly in relation to the deadly invasion of Israel by Hamas on October 7 and its repercussions.

Bloomberg reports that more and more Saudi citizens are being arrested for sharing anti-Israel sentiments on social media in recent months, amid Riyadh's concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as attacks launched by other Iranian proxies, could plunge Arab nations into chaos. 

Among those recently detained is an executive from a company involved in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's plan to bolster the economy. 

Bloomberg reports, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter, that the executive had made comments about the Gaza war that were deemed to incite other citizens.

Another detainee reportedly called for Saudi citizens to boycott American brands operating in the Gulf kingdom.

Speaking to Bloomberg, a source close to the Saudi government said that the arrests stemmed from concerns that pro-Iran influence would jeopardize the country's security.

The report stated that there is no definitive figure on the number of arrests made since October 7.

This crackdown comes as the United States continues to cooperate with Riyadh in finding a path towards normalizing relations with Israel.

During a visit to the Gulf state earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that intensive efforts have been made over the past week to try to reach an agreement to achieve this goal, and that the agreement is “potentially almost done.”

Editor: Syamsul Azhar