Watan-The Saudi authorities continue to suppress any form of sympathy and solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing brutal war. This includes the prohibition of any appearance of the Palestinian keffiyeh at the Red Sea International Film Festival, which has faced criticism like other events, such as Riyadh Season, coinciding with the tragic events in the region.

According to the opposition website “SaudiLeaks,” testimonies from participants in the festival, which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime insisted on holding despite the cancellation of similar festivals in other Arab countries, such as the Ajyal Film Festival in Doha, the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia, and the Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt, indicate that Riyadh not only insisted on holding the Red Sea International Film Festival but also banned all forms of solidarity, even in appearance and clothing, with Palestine, such as wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh. Participants confirmed the prohibition and the prevention of any messages of support or solidarity with Gaza by the Saudi authorities.

According to the “SaudiLeaks” report, many festival participants were shocked when security personnel asked them to remove their headscarves resembling the keffiyeh or featuring its design or colors while attending the RSIFF festival.

No indifference to the bloodshed in Gaza

Saudi Arabia insists on organizing entertainment events in the kingdom, spending exorbitant millions from the Saudi Cultural Development Fund without regard for the bleeding in Gaza, according to a report from SaudiLeaks.

The report states that Mohammed bin Salman insisted on organizing the fourth edition of the extravagant Riyadh Season, which includes over 8,000 artistic, musical, theatrical, culinary, and sports events over several months.

This has sparked anger for what many describe as a lack of respect and indifference to the bloodshed in Gaza, where at least 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.

The authorities under bin Salman are keen on surveilling international visitors and imposing strict dress codes on residents and visitors, without any issue with displays of nudity and dancing.

No problem with nudity and behavior that violates decency

The authorities of Mohammed bin Salman did not give any importance to behaviors contrary to modesty and decency during the events, manifestations of blasphemy, and associating with God through songs that disrespect the deity, all while focusing all attention on avoiding discussion of Gaza and Palestine and refraining from political discussions within the kingdom, according to the same report.

Now, both the hijab and niqab are optional for Saudi women and visitors alike, while the keffiyeh is prohibited by the authorities of Mohammed bin Salman, despite there being no official law in the kingdom banning the wearing of the Palestinian scarf with black and white squares.

The Palestinian keffiyeh gained prominence during the Arab Revolt in the period from 1936 to 1939 and was revived in the 1960s, especially by Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, as a national costume. It is a global symbol of solidarity.