Social media reacts to Gulf diplomatic rift
‘Qatar’ trends with many calling decision by several Arab countries to cut diplomatic ties with Gulf country ‘reckless’.
Following the announcement that several nations were cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar, the world erupted on social media, with many calling the move “severe” and “reckless”.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen and the Maldives announced they would suspend relations with the Gulf state on Monday, escalating a row following a recent hack of the Qatari state-news agency.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said it regretted the Arab countries “unjustified decision” that is in “violation of its sovereignty”.
Online, the hashtag translating as “cutting ties with Qatar” (#قطع_العلاقات_مع_قطر) was the number one trend worldwide with more than one million mentions at the time of publication.
“Qatar” was also trending worldwide with many pointing to the seriousness of the current rift between the countries:
These measures against #Qatar is unprecedented, the inter-Arab/GCC relations hasn't seen this escalation since Camp David Accords.
— Reem Al-Harmi ريم الحرمي (@Reem_AlHarmi) June 5, 2017
This is the most severe crisis in the GCC's history. Even the Emir of Kuwait, the wise man of the Gulf, was unable to halt the escalation.
— سلطان سعود القاسمي (@SultanAlQassemi) June 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Max_Fisher/status/871563708933210112
You see Qatar?
I don't see Qatar. pic.twitter.com/HnBMWNp0zD— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) June 5, 2017
Many in Qatar shared their support for the country:
We are united with His Highness and fully support him. Please don't be fooled by the media 👍🏽#Proud_Qatari 🇶🇦💖#تميم_المجد 🇶🇦💖 pic.twitter.com/xVSaHX3pUf
— سّ 👑 (@Saeed_SXV) May 24, 2017
(Translation: They think that this way they will get people to turn against the government, they don’t know that the Qatari people stand with their government even if we live on bread crumbs.)
https://twitter.com/alrahman911/status/871629460205965312
Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain have given Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries, Reuters news agency reported. Many worried what this might mean for families who live in different GCC countries:
https://twitter.com/NouraBJ_/status/871674308904361984
Such a reckless decision which terrifies me as an Egyptian who's born and lived in SA. Did they consider the families?!#قطع_العلاقات_مع_قطر
— Abdalla M. Edres (@AbodyRulez) June 5, 2017
Just feeling concerned about many families that are half Emirate/ Qatari 💔#قطع_العلاقات_مع_قطر
— TA (@NikeHoney) June 5, 2017
Major long-haul carriers such as Doha-based Qatar Airways and Dubai’s Emirates have suspended flights. Some shared photos of Qataris who were reportedly “banned” from boarding planes in Saudi Arabia.
للقطريين في مطار جدة و الذين منعتهم السلطات السعودية من ركوب الطائرة
سيتم توفير طائرات خاصة لكم بمتابعة سعادة القنصل #قطع_العلاقات_مع_قطر pic.twitter.com/xEoSEIpj4G— F B A | فهد بوزوير (@FahadBuzwair) June 5, 2017
Others called on the leaders of the countries involved to mend strained ties, with some using a hashtag that translates to “We are all Tamim”, referring to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani:
https://twitter.com/x7Tme/status/871571120679419904
In the times of most need to unite we choose to be divided. Well done leaders. #قطع_العلاقات_مع_قطر
— Mo (@MohamedMMoneer) June 5, 2017
United We Stand, Divided We Fall#كلنا_تميم
— Iftikhar Ayoub (@IftikharAyoub) June 5, 2017
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