Saudi Media Outlets Accused of Pro-Israel Bias, Fueling Tensions in Lebanon
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Saudi-backed media outlets are facing accusations of aligning with Israeli narratives and exacerbating internal strife in Lebanon. Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, two prominent Saudi networks, have reportedly become platforms for defending Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon over the past two years.
These channels are now actively attempting to influence the Lebanese domestic landscape, functioning as a propaganda arm for Tel Aviv by playing with Lebanon’s security, creating chaos, and threatening war, according to reports.
Sources indicate that in recent months, particularly following Israel’s aggressive actions against Lebanon, these Saudi networks have acted as a media mouthpiece for the enemy, amplifying falsehoods and distortions. They have allegedly launched attacks against the resistance, aiming to tarnish its image within Lebanon.
The role of these media outlets has reportedly intensified following the government’s approval of the “arms monopoly in Lebanon” plan, becoming platforms to justify Israeli actions, especially in the south and Bekaa regions. They are accused of intentionally disseminating fabricated information and news to destabilize the region and advance Israeli objectives, including recent reports attributed to US envoy Tom Barak regarding an alleged Israeli threat of a large-scale war in Lebanon.
Reports suggest that Al Arabiya and Al Hadath have supported Israeli occupation and contributed to increasing pressure on Lebanon concerning resistance weaponry. Previously, Al Arabiya justified the September 23 attacks, which resulted in numerous Lebanese casualties, claiming the strikes targeted military positions of the resistance and foreshadowed wider attacks within Lebanon. They allegedly exaggerated Israel’s military capabilities, implying Lebanon would suffer a fate similar to Gaza in terms of destruction and casualties.
The Saudi networks’ rhetoric has reportedly intensified regarding the issue of weapons and related deadlines, especially following increased internal and American pressure on Lebanon to disarm the resistance. Throughout the past months, these networks have allegedly incited conflict between the resistance and the army, attempting to provoke clashes between them.
In August, Al Hadath published an article claiming Hezbollah was leading Lebanon towards chaos, alleging the group intended to initiate street clashes if disarmament plans were implemented. Following Hezbollah’s reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon, the media outlets intensified American pressure through envoys sent to Beirut. Saudi media reportedly amplified the warnings and threats of war against Lebanon if disarmament conditions were not met. Al Arabiya, in a report titled “Imminent Danger; Lebanon Between American Warning and Israeli Attack,” highlighted this narrative.
A key tactic employed by these networks is promoting the military capabilities of Tel Aviv and threatening their use if Israel’s demands are not met, particularly regarding the disarmament of the resistance. In a recent report titled “Point of No Return; Devastating War Threatens Lebanon,” Al Arabiya magnified Israeli threats of a devastating response should the resistance retaliate to the assassination of senior commander Haitham al-Tabatabai.
These Saudi networks have previously celebrated Israeli attacks on Lebanon, with Al Hadath reportedly struggling to conceal its joy at the number of casualties and the mounting internal and external pressure on the resistance, openly celebrating the enemy’s actions on Lebanese soil.
