Spike in arrests of those attacking Israel online

Hard line: The kingdom is detaining people for online comments on the Israel war on Gaza due to security reasons. — AFP

SAUDI Arabia has stepped up the arrest of citizens for social-media posts related to the Israel war on Gaza as the kingdom signals a readiness to agree to diplomatic relations with the Jewish state – if it commits to Palestinian statehood.

Detaining people for online comments and restrictions on free speech and political expression are the norm in Saudi Arabia. Yet the recent spate of arrests is motivated by security concerns specifically linked to the Gaza war, according to Riyadh-based diplomats and human rights groups.