Kuwaiti writer urges recognition of Israel

From Kuwait Times:

The controversial Kuwaiti writer Abdullah Saad Al-Hadlaq urged Kuwait to stop boycotting Israel and end the more than 50 year feud with the country which he described as 'nervous tension'. He also urged Kuwait and the GCC countries to stop signing accords with 'Persian Iran.' They urged them to get into an alliance with international powers to protect them from Iranian schemes, reported Al-Watan.

Abdullah Al-Hadlaq, who has been accused of being Zionist agent, told Al-Watan in a special interview that with all its advanced capabilities, Israel would not need the services of a 'poor man' like himself. He also denied that he was honored by the country. "Whoever has such a medal, please bring it to me," he quipped, accusing those who questioned his adherence to Islam of being hypocrites. He said that they "traded in Islam and used it as a disguise".

Al-Hadlaq said that he had once written an article in 2006 titled 'I wish I were an Israeli soldier.' It went unnoticed at the time until he wrote another article during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and he wrote another one against Hamas leaders. "It was at the time when readers noticed that many of my articles were quoted by the Israeli FM's website.

Responding to a question about Jerusalem and whether he believed in Muslims right to rule it, Al-Hadlaq said that historically, the city was home to followers of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It should be placed under international governance and opened freely for followers of the three religions. "On the contrary, verse number 21 of Surat Al-Maeda of the Holy Quran emphasizes the right of 'Bani Israel'".

Al-Hadlaq responded sarcastically to rumors about being described by the Israeli PM, Ehud Olmert as more Zionist than Herzl himself and being described as one of Israel's ambassadors by Israeli FM Tzipi Livni. "They are all fabricated, funny stories.

He added that Israel's democracy was a unique model that has surpassed many of what he described as the tyrannical, totalitarian Arab regimes. Further, Al-Hadlaq said that he hated the regimes that rule Syria and Iran and that he has been avoiding various activities held in both country's embassies to Kuwait, despite being invited.

It is not so surprising that there are intellectuals in Gulf countries who have such viewpoint. The surprising thing is that a few of them actually speak out about it.