The nations of Israel and Kuwait do not have diplomatic relations. Kuwait does not allow entry in its territory to anyone with a passport issued by Israel or documenting travel to the State of Israel; anyone can be barred from entry for having Israeli visa stamps on their passport or if they are dual citizens between any country and Israel. Citizens of Kuwait can enter Israel as long as they apply for a visa, but if their passport was stamped with an Israeli visa or entry to Israel stamp, they cannot be allowed back into Kuwait.[1][2] Israel does not have formal entry or trade restrictions. During the wars between Israel and the Arab countries, Kuwaiti forces participated against Israel.[3]
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History
editKuwait boycotts and bans Israeli products and its media and government refers to Israel as the 'Zionist entity'.[4]
Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the start of the Gulf War, during which Iraq launched missiles against Israel, America insisted on Israel not to join the war in fears that it would lead to Arab states abandoning the coalition created in order to fight Iraq.[5][6]
In January 2014, Kuwait boycotted a renewable energy conference in Abu Dhabi as it was attended by Israel.[7]
In October 2017, Kuwaiti Speaker of the National Assembly Al-Ghanim, at a Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Russia, labeled the Israeli delegation as "state terrorism" and urged them to pack their bags and get out. The Israeli delegates left amid applause from other attendees.[8] He was welcomed back in Kuwait with praises by the Emir as well as people of Kuwait.[9]
On the heels of the Abraham Accords, in response to Trump announcing that Kuwait could be the next Arab country to recognize Israel, Kuwait denied the claims and said,"Kuwait will be the last country to recognise Israel".[10][11] The Late Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah refused, on the last days of his life, to attend the normalizing Bahrain Economic Conference, which was held in Manama in 2020. Marzouq Al-Ghanim reported in an interview that the Emir of Kuwait called him in anger at that time and told him: "Look my son, I am old now and I don't want to meet my Lord having shaken hands with Zionists." The Emir then asked Al-Ghanim to work on Kuwait's non-participation in the conference.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_foreign_affairs/govil-landing-page [bare URL]
- ^ https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east/kuwait#:~:text=Entry%20and%20exit%20conditions%20can,Israeli%20stamp%20in%20your%20passport [bare URL]
- ^ Tucker, Spencer C; Roberts, Priscilla (2008). The Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Political, Social, and Military History. Santa Barbara, California, USA: ABC-CLIO, Inc. p. 596. ISBN 978-1-85109-841-5. (printed), (ebook).
- ^ "Kuwaiti newspaper apologies for using 'Israel' instead of 'Zionist Entity'". The New Arab. 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Israel and the Conflict". users.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ https://embassies.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/history/Pages/The%20Gulf%20War%20-%201991.aspx#:~:text=At%20the%20urging%20of%20the,active%20participation%20in%20the%20war [bare URL]
- ^ "Israel shrugs off Kuwaiti boycott, joins Arab states, Iran at Abu Dhabi conference". The Jerusalem Post. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Kuwaiti official orders Israel delegates to 'get out', 2023-10-18
- ^ "Kuwaiti Emir praises parliament speaker who expelled Israeli representative". Middle East Monitor. 21 October 2017.
- ^ "'Unaltered position': Kuwait denies Trump claim it will back Israel normalisation". Middle East Eye. September 23, 2020.
- ^ "Kuwait says it'll be 'last to normalize' with Israel, will stand by Palestinians". The Times of Israel. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Late Emir of Kuwait Refused to Attend Normalizing Manama Conference". Bahrain Mirror. 13 June 2023.