Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment in Thailand: A Covergence of factors
The past two weeks saw two anti-Israel protests in Bangkok outside the embassy itself. This is a convergence of a few factors. It is alarming enough that concerned Thais should try to understand it and take an active role in navigating Thai society wisely. These Thais are unhappy, or rather outraged, by more than one […] The post Growing Anti-Israel Sentiment in Thailand: A Covergence of factors…
Over the past two weeks, Bangkok has witnessed two anti-Israel protests, indicative of a growing sentiment of unease and hostility towards "grey Israelis" and Israeli expats. This sentiment is not solely rooted in opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Iran, but also stems from a combination of xenophobia, economic stagnation, and genuine grievances.
Some Thais are outraged by what they perceive as disrespectful behavior by Israeli tourists and concerns about Israeli expats taking over crucial sectors like real estate and businesses in Thailand. The demonstrations have brought together two distinct ideologies: ultranationalists focusing on the "grey Israeli" issue without addressing the situation in Gaza, and those who consider Israel a "genocidal state" that cannot be trusted in the long run.
The UK government has expressed concern over Israel's decision to tender for more than 1,200 housing units in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, warning that this could fragment the West Bank and undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. In response, the UK is considering economic sanctions against Israeli settlements.
This development, coupled with reports of civilian casualties in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has fueled concerns among Thais about the potential for "grey Israelis" and "grey Thais" to undermine Thai sovereignty.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
