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### Viewing cable 06JEDDAH478, INTERNET SHOWING GRASSROOTS DISSENTION ABOUT

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06JEDDAH478 | 2006-07-15 14:35 | 2011-03-15 18:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Consulate Jeddah
Appears in these articles: not yet set

`

    VZCZCXRO9803
    PP RUEHDE
    DE RUEHJI #0478/01 1961435
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 151435Z JUL 06
    FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9341
    INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1474
    RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1552
    RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 6669
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000478

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHARAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND
    AMBASSADOR JOHN HANFORD; LONDON FOR TSOU; PARIS FOR ZEYA

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2031
    TAGS: KISL PGOV PINR PREL SA SOCI
    SUBJECT: INTERNET SHOWING GRASSROOTS DISSENTION ABOUT
    OFFICIAL SAUDI POSITION ON LEBANON

    Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
    (d).

    ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Public opinion is divided regarding the
    July 14 Saudi Press Agency statement on the situation in
    Lebanon. While local newspapers have reported the government
    line, websites show a wide variety of opinions that both
    support and attack the position. Those who support the
    statement generally are opposed to Hizballah and have praised
    the Saudi government's stand, while those who hold stronger
    anti-Israeli views have labeled it as being "cowardly" and
    "weak." Initial press reports show that Saudi clerics seem
    to have avoided the issue during their weekly Friday sermons.
    ConGenOffs will be following up with religious scholars in
    Jeddah to further assess the views of the religious
    community. END SUMMARY.

    THE INTERNET

    ¶2. (SBU) Although Saudi Arabian press has remained in step
    with the July 14 official Saudi Press Agency statement
    regarding the situation between Israel and Lebanon,
    grassroots reactions are showing broad differences of
    opinion. Several websites in the Kingdom, including the
    fundamentalist "Al Saha" and more moderate "AlQuma" pages,
    have become outlets for a wide range of opinions, many of
    whom conflict with the official Saudi position. Hits on
    those websites have sky-rocketed, according to counters
    listed on the webpages, with more than 22000 hits on Al Saha
    in the first 24 hours after the release of the statement.

    ¶3. (U) Grassroots anger toward the government has been
    fueled by what many are calling a surprisingly weak
    government position vis a vis Israel and Lebanon. The
    official statement, which opponents claim contradicts itself,
    begins by noting that the Kingdom supports "the right of
    people under occupation to fight this occupation in all its
    forms" and maintains support for "legitimate Palestinian
    resistance which aims at resisting military occupation and
    avoiding harming the innocent." However, in later sections,
    the official missive said that with respect to "the bloody,
    painful events currently taking place in Palestine and
    Lebanon, the Kingdom would like to clearly announce that a
    difference should be drawn between legitimate resistance and
    miscalculated adventures carried out by elements inside the
    state and those behind them without consulatation with the
    legimate authority in their state and without consultation or
    coordination with Arab countries, thus creating a gravely
    dangerous situation exposing all Arab countries and their
    achievements to destruction with those countries having no
    say."

    ¶4. (U) The website posters who support the government's
    statement have voiced strong anti-Hizballah views, praising
    the Saudi government and noting that "Hizballah made a
    mistake and Lebanon is paying for it." Others seem to be
    using self-preservation and anti-Shia views as the basis for
    their opinions. For example, according to one anonymous
    writer, "we should concentrate on our own welfare and
    well-being;" adding that the government has finally "learned
    from our old mistakes and (is) aiming for the future."
    Another poster criticized Hizballah saying it "was planted by
    the Iranian revolution" and "If we don't stop them now, they
    will spread all over our region."

    ¶5. (U) Much stronger views have emerged from those who see
    poor leadership at the root of the Kingdom's official
    position. Many posters have described the government
    statement as "cowardly" and "weak", with one writer even
    calling it a "scandal on all aspects" and daring to suggestthat "we should prosecute whoever was in charge of ssuing
    this statement at this critical time." Aother annymous
    poster added that "the statementclearly indicates how weak
    our leaders are. Ourleaders are obviously following
    instructions fro the West."

    ¶6. (U) Some website postings have addressed what they view
    as inappropriate changes in Saudi Arabia's foreign policy.
    For instance, one writer claimed that the statement used "new
    language" to address regional connections and claimed that
    because "it came out so quickly and prematurely condemned
    Hizballah more than the Israelis" the statement was really

    JEDDAH 00000478 002 OF 002

    "more of an American position supporting Jews than an Arabic
    position."

    CLERICS

    ¶7. (C) As an interesting counterpoint to the internet
    activity, Saudi clerics seem to have avoided discussing their
    political views regarding the Lebanon crisis during this
    week's Friday mosque sermons. Initial press reports of the
    sermons from clerics in Mecca and Medina reflect no mention
    of the hostilities in Lebanon or of Israel. That omission
    has also been a target for internet posters, who have
    criticized the religious community for overlooking such an
    important issue. NOTE: ConGenOffs plan to meet with several
    religious scholars in Jeddah during the next few days and
    will report on their views, as available. END NOTE.

    ¶8. (C) COMMENT: Although internet criticism is not uncommon
    in Saudi Arabia because of the anonymity it offers, these
    postings are examples of the continuing divide between the
    government and the views of the general Saudi populace. END
    COMMENT.
    Gfoeller

`