Kuwaiti TV host jailed for supporting "Israel" normalization

Kuwaiti TV host Fajr Al-Saeed has been sentenced to three years in prison on charges of spreading false news and misusing the internet, following a ruling by Kuwait’s Criminal Court, local media reported Thursday.

Al-Saeed’s sentencing comes after her controversial statements supporting normalization with "Israel", a stance she first expressed in 2019 and reiterated in a 2021 interview with "Israeli" broadcaster Kan.

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She was initially detained on January 9, with authorities accusing her of promoting normalization. However, while acquitted of that specific charge, the court found her guilty of other offenses related to her online activity.

Al-Saeed has frequently clashed with the country’s official stance on sensitive issues. The Kuwaiti government has consistently opposed normalization with "Israel", maintaining that diplomatic relations must be contingent on a just resolution to the Palestinian issue.

On February 9, the Kuwaiti foreign ministry reaffirmed its position, rejecting the displacement of Palestinians and supporting their right to an independent state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Saeed’s legal troubles extended beyond Kuwait. Just days before her sentencing, the Iraqi embassy in Kuwait withdrew a separate lawsuit against her following an official apology she issued to Iraq and its leadership. The case stemmed from a January 4 episode of her program (Here is Kuwait), in which she criticized the Iraqi parliament’s vote to end the US military presence in Iraq and commented on the role of armed groups in the country.

On February 10, Al-Saeed publicly apologized to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), and the Iraqi people. She also announced her decision to quit political work, vowing to step away from public commentary and criticism.

Following her apology, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani directed authorities to withdraw the case against her.