Social Media Users Debate Appointment of New Saudi Crown Prince

cell phone saudi arabia social media
AP/Hassan Ammar
Ali Waked

TEL AVIV — The appointment of Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman, as the new crown prince and first in line to the throne continues to be the main topic of discussion in Saudi Arabia, and has been dominating on social media.

Saudi news media have portrayed the move as being based on a broad consensus, and reports claim that of 34 members of the royal household who are meant to approve the successor and swear loyalty to the new crown prince, 31 did so.

Such reports did not stop speculation on social media, however, with some daring to talk about disputes within the royal family and suggesting the move actually is a coup by the new crown prince, Salman, over his cousin, who had been heir to the throne, Mohammed bin Nayef.

The hashtag “bin_salmans_revolution” began to spread on social media, stoking a heated dispute between opponents of the royal family who claimed that this was essentially a coup and that the ruling family is divided, and those who claimed that there had been full consensus for the move among the royals.

The Twitter account called “Breaking News” used the hashtag and wrote, “Special sources: Tanks and APCs deployed in Mecca and Jeddah. Situation is very tense.”

Alkubaisi posted a video as proof that a coup was underway. The video purportedly filmed during the oath of allegiance showed one of the princes speaking with the new crown prince when a security guard appeared and forcibly removed him from the scene. “Watch the clear proof that this is a coup by bin Salman and that the people were forced to swear allegiance?!!!”

https://twitter.com/N_Alkubaisi72/status/877668127764606979

Faisal Ali presented his version of events for the same video, saying that the man removed by the security guard was trying to harass the crown prince over issues unconnected to the swearing of allegiance. “This is the truth,” he wrote.

Khamis Alkhelaifi wrote, “I wonder what Mohammed bin Salman will do now with ‘Vision 2030’ that’s meant to destroy Saudi Arabia.”

Mohamed Abdelwahed tried to provoke the supporters of the move in Saudi Arabia by saying that Israeli media was pleased by the move and by quoting an Israeli newspaper. “The Israeli Haaretz: The new Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is good for Israel and the U.S.”

A Qatari Twitter user, Um Qutaiba, wrote, “Dear Saudi people, for all of last month you were only delighted at the loss of Tamim (the prince of Qatar) by the claim that he overthrew his father is a coup. You did this even as Mohammed bin Salman plotted against his cousin. Those who tease others eat it themselves.”

Ibrahim Alwshli wrote, “We are loyal to the legal crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef. His legitimacy will win, no matter what the price.”

Another Twitter user, Mahdi Alkubra, responded to him and claimed that he was under the influence of drugs. “I think you exaggerated with the Gat leaves. Dude, don’t interfere in matters of state. You wish it was a coup. This is a step that is only good.”

 

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