SAUDI GOVERNMENT STAYS A STEP AHEAD OF PUBLIC

					  C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000081 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019 
TAGS: IS KU PGOV PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI GOVERNMENT STAYS A STEP AHEAD OF PUBLIC 
ANGER OVER GAZA 
 
REF: A. RIYADH 0071 
     
B. JEDDAH 0013 
     
C. RIYADH 0001 
     
D. RIYADH 1871 
     
E. RIYADH 1868 
 
RIYADH 00000081  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: DCM David Rundell for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
(C) KEY POINTS 
 
-- The Saudi public peacefully followed the January 9 "Gaza 
Day of Anger," but some found Friday sermons inadequate in 
speaking to their concerns. 
 
-- The Saudi government ratcheted up its anti-Israel 
rhetoric.  The Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin 
Amin Madani issued a statement following the King's January 
12 meeting with the Council of Ministers.  The statement 
"stressed that the Kingdom is standing at all levels with the 
Palestinian brothers" and criticized Israel's "war of 
genocide."  The statement said the Council also "hoped that 
the next U.S. administration will be more serious, objective 
and independent when addressing the Palestinian issue." 
 
-- The government planned to host a meeting of Arab health 
ministers January 13 to review Gaza's humanitarian situation 
and assistance alternatives. 
 
-- King Abdullah will reportedly attend a summit of Arab 
leaders in Kuwait January 19-20 to discuss Gaza alongside an 
economic summit. 
 
-- Public anger remains rife.  Mass text messages are 
promoting a planned boycott of U.S. products.  Eastern 
Province (EP) authorities have arrested as many as 30 
participants in December's demonstrations. 
 
(C) COMMENT 
 
-- The Saudi government (SAG) continues to successfully rein 
in public anger and direct citizens to more productive means 
of self-expression: prayers over protests, assistance over 
anger.  The citizenry still seeks ways to make their voice 
heard, as demonstrated by the multiplying calls for a boycott 
of U.S. goods.  Yesterday's official statement marked a shift 
in the SAG's public position, becoming more critical of 
Israel and the U.S.  Past statements criticized Hamas and 
pointed to the Palestinian rift as part of the problem. 
 
-- The arrest of EP demonstrators appears to be squelching 
what had become a challenge to government authority.  The SAG 
will likely stay in front of public opinion and effectively 
dampen any violent or anti-government activity until the 
crisis ends. 
 
End Key Points and Comment 
 
 
					

1. (C) SILENT PRAYERS: The League of Muslim Scholars, a
respected group of regional religious figures, declared
Friday, January 9 the "Gaza Day of Anger." As a result,
worshippers attended Friday prayers expecting messages about
Gaza. Instead, they heard sermons addressing other themes,
with Gaza only mentioned in the supplications. The
experience was repeated in multiple mosques, indicating that
the government had instructed imams not to make Gaza the main
subject of their sermon. According to a witness, some
worshippers criticized the lack of support for Gaza after
prayers. In one mosque, a man pointedly asked the Imam to
make a special prayer for Gaza victims, but was told martyrs
need no special prayer. Meanwhile, Saudi religious leaders
publicly extolled the virtues of "qunoot" (silent prayers)
over less civilized public protests.



2. (C) OFFICIAL ACTION: King Abdullah remains publicly
visible on Gaza. The King chaired a January 12 Council of
Ministers meeting which focused on Gaza. A subsequent
statement harshly criticized Israel and did not mention
Hamas. The King reportedly will attend a summit of Arab

RIYADH 00000081 002.2 OF 002


heads of state January 19-20 in Kuwait. The January 9
wedding of his son occurred as planned, but the King
postponed a customary sword dance out of respect for Gaza
Palestinians. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced that
the airlifting of humanitarian aid will commence January 12,
although one flight with medical supplies departed January 8.
Saudis have donated 175.4 million riyals (US$46.7 million)
and 144 tons of in-kind relief to the official campaign for
humanitarian aid (Reftel D). Saudi Aramco kicked off its own
Palestinian Relief Campaign, allowing donations by payroll
deduction. The Ministry of Health announced a January 13
Arab Health Ministers Extraordinary Meeting in Riyadh to
discuss humanitarian assistance.



3. (C) STILL THE TOP ISSUE: Gaza continues to hold the
public's attention. A Saudi cleric has called for a boycott
of U.S. restaurants and products (Reftel A), a message
rapidly disseminated via text messaging and door-to-door
flier distribution. A few Mission contacts have shown a cold
shoulder to the USG. The president of the National Society
of Human Rights flatly declined to engage on a separate
issue, noting "now is not a good time to talk to the United
States Embassy." Some invitees to an event at the
Ambassador's residence took issue with the timing.
Organizers of the Jeddah Economic Forum cited Gaza as a
reason for its postponement, although this might be only a
convenient excuse (Reftel B).



4. (C) EASTERN PROVINCE QUIET(ER): EP has witnessed no
demonstrations since the beginning of the year. A human
rights contact reports that approximately 30 individuals have
been arrested following the December 19 and 29 demonstrations
in Qatif and Safwa (Reftels C, E). The SAG has not publicly
commented on the arrests. The demonstrators have not been
charged, but some have been allowed visits by family members.
Ashura celebrations reportedly concluded peacefully, though
Gaza weighed on worshippers' minds. One report held that
unknown parties raised a large Palestinian flag on Tarout
castle, a local historical site, which police reportedly
rushed to remove.

RUNDELL