​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 issue. Some are offended by what they describe as “grey Jews” or “grey Israeli” visitors who are disrespectful of Thai ways and culture, as well as some Israeli expats whom they fear are planning to take root in Thailand and control real estate, businesses, and even subvert Thai sovereignty.

​Call those who fear Israelis taking over Thailand paranoid and far-fetched all you like; the reality is that for many of them, perception is reality and the concerns are genuine.

​As I told a Le Monde correspondent last week,it is basically a combination of xenophobia, a nation facing economic stagnation, genuine grievances, plus some people’s opposition to how Israel has conducted itself mercilessly in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and recently, in Iran.

​The growing anti-‘grey-Israeli’ sentiment stems from a few high-profile cases of brash and disrespectful Israeli tourists and distrust of Israeli expats and Israel itself. Some of the expats have obtained Thai citizenship and are engaged in constructing a large Chabad House in downtown Bangkok, expanding cemeteries, and running businesses in places like Phuket in a manner that, critics say, gives locals little or nothing, despite Israelis being the de facto owners of accommodation, transport, restaurants, and tour operations.

​Both demonstrations saw two different ideologies converging: ultranationalist Thais who focus on the “grey Israeli” issue with no stance on what is happening in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Iran; and those who see Israel as essentially a “genocidal state” that cannot be trusted to stay in the kingdom long-term.

​It should come as no surprise that some Thais, informed by foreign news reporting about what is happening in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Iran, and Lebanon, are increasingly concerned—or even alarmed and paranoid—about the possibility of “grey Israelis” or “grey Jews” seeking to acquire land, expand their economic influence, and establish permanent footholds in Thailand, particularly in cases where some individuals have already obtained Thai citizenship.

Beyond Israel’s ongoing use of disproportionate and brutal force in the Gaza Strip during its devastating war with Hamas—which has resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties, including women and children—a recent development deserves attention. The UK government has issued strong warnings to Israel and is preparing trade restrictions after Israel advanced tenders for more than 1,200 housing units in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, while real estate events have also been held at which West Bank land was marketed to prospective buyers.

​E1, near Jerusalem, is a strategically important area. The British government considers further settlement expansion there a “red line”, warning that it could fragment the West Bank, undermine the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state, and further erode prospects for a two-state solution. The UK has reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are contrary to international law.

​The British government is now considering tougher measures, including banning certain goods and services from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and restricting British companies from financing, supporting, or advertising settlement projects. Britain has previously sanctioned individuals and organisations linked to settler violence in the West Bank. Israel has warned that unilateral British sanctions could seriously damage diplomatic relations and has threatened retaliation. The proposed measures, however are aimed at economic activity in West Bank settlements rather than a blanket ban on trade with Israel. Israel denies the allegations and has closed the British consulate in Jerusalem.

​In other disturbing news readily available, UK Channel 4 News reported earlier this week: “According to the UN, nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces or settlers this year alone, and 85 killed. Three Israeli fatalities have been reported in that time.”

​No one with a functioning conscience or moral compass, can condone—or fail to feel saddened and troubled by—such disproportionate violence carried out by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Too many people—especially Palestinians, including women and children—have been killed, for far too long. It is disproportionate, tragic, and cruel.

Looking at the West Bank settlement tenders, then back at Thailand, it is understandable that concerns about possible links between “grey Israelis” and grey Thais, or corrupt Thai officials and networks, may grow—particularly where land, money, citizenship, and opaque business interests intersect. Some Thais believe that, judging by Israel’s conduct in Palestine, the Israeli people and government are untrustworthy, if not perfidious.

​Then there is a history of Thai ultranationalism, and even xenophobia, where students are drilled into remembering failed attempts to colonise what was then known as Siam by France and Great Britain, and the costly price Thailand paid for having to cede territory under its control during the Rama V era in the late 19th century. Thais have been taught to be protective of their country and safeguard its sovereignty from potential foreign powers.

The perceived insensitive presence of “grey Israelis” and “grey Chinese” can easily trigger some Thais.

​The ground was also prepared last year during two brief undeclared wars between Thailand and Cambodia, which stoked fears against foreign enemies, real or imagined. Veteran activist and former Yellow Shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul incidentally co-led the anti-Cambodia demonstrations last year, which drew about 10,000 people to the streets of Bangkok. On Thursday, he was back leading another rally, this time against Israel, with some 300–400 demonstrators in attendance.

​Two key protesters on Thursday gave very different reactions to this writer when I spoke to them, reflecting the diversity of those gathered. Psi Scott told the Israeli ambassador to “get the f**k out” and added that Thailand should not welcome IDF soldiers, while Tul Sittisomwong said well-behaved Israeli tourists were welcome.

​If enough people are mobilised in the weeks ahead, the Thai government will likely try to appease the protesters, leading to a setback in Thai-Israeli relations. How Alona Fisher-Kamm, Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, handles the matter will be crucial as well.