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Israel-Gaza Megathread #2

This is a refreshed megathread for any posts on the conflict between (so far, and so far as I know) Hamas and the Israeli government, as well as related geopolitics. Culture War thread rules apply.

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How effective is this, trying to control discourse via religion? Has MBS, or Saudi in general, tried this in the recent past?

My understanding was that the fundamental basis for the Saudi state was a unification of interests between the royal house of Saud's exercise of secular power to keep order for and on behalf of the Wahhabist religious sect. In particular, the Saudi's maintenance of holy sites (primarily, but not exclusively, Mecca) and the annual hajj pilgramage, is a major source of prestige and legitimacy.

The basis for the House of Saud’s ruling of Saudi Arabia is the British decision at the end of empire. There is little further basis than that.

well the King plays a real role in the religions, as the Custodian of Mecca and Medina. Definitely prestigue/power. Unsure about Wahhabism as I thought that came later?