Israel–Kuwait relations
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Israel-Kuwait relations are diplomatic, cultural and trade relations between Israel and Kuwait. The countries do not maintain official diplomatic relations due to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Kuwait refuses entry to anyone with an Israeli passport or a passport with Israeli visas or stamps on it.
History
After the Gulf War in 1991, the Kuwaiti government ended its boycott of companies that did business with Israel, citing national interest and the country's need for goods and services for postwar reconstruction.[1]
Two Kuwaiti Parliament members, Hammad Al Dossari and Nabil Al Fadhl, acknowledged trade and military ties between Israel and Kuwait in an interview aired on Al Adala TV. Al Fadhl, “If the security of Kuwait requires the purchase of Israeli equipment, I will do so, and I will love the Israelis for it. It is permitted to deal with anyone for the sake of Kuwait’s security...How exactly did the Muslims benefit us, when our Arab neighbor [Iraq] invaded our country? [2]
Al Dosari said that the Sharia permits dealings with Israel: "We follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who died while his shield was mortgaged with a Jew.”[3]
On December 28, 2008, Kuwaiti lawmakers protested in front of the Kuwait National Assembly Building against Israel during the Gaza War. They burned Israeli flags, waved banners reading, "No to hunger, no to submission" and chanted "Allahu Akbar". Israel launched air strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on December 26 after Hamas launched rockets into the Israeli town of Sderot following the expiration of a six-month ceasefire on December 18.[4]On January 3, 2009, MPs protested in front of the National Assembly again.[5]After Friday prayers on January 8, 2009, Jamaan Al-Harbash and several other MPs urged Arab leaders to take a stronger stand against the Israeli attacks and open Rafah Crossing to end an embargo imposed by Israel on the residents of Gaza.[6]
In January 2014, Kuwait boycotted a renewable energy conference attended by Israel in Abu Dhabi, although many other Arab countries took part. [7]
See also
References
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