Regarding the Arab-Arabic “hatreds”.

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If you are constantly hostile to everything Arab, and follow the inter-Arab debate and exchanges on “social media” platforms, then there is no doubt that today you feel very happy and relieved. How could you not? Aren't accounts with Arab IDs involved in permanent discord? Don't the users with these IDs insult and quarrel among themselves with great passion and hunger? Doesn't this spoil everything that is essential, historical and authentic in Arab-Arab relations? Doesn't this make the task of Arab enemies and competitors easier? Doesn't it narrow the options of leaders when they want to build on commonalities?

I have always traveled between different Arab countries, and lived in some of them, due to work conditions or for the purpose of tourism, and during these experiences I got to know Arab citizens from various countries in the region, and in all circumstances I was sure that what links Arab citizens is much greater, deeper and nobler than what these new platforms show.

Arab-Arab relations at the official level know many of the requirements of politics, including the discrepancies, disagreements, conflicts of interests, and sometimes hostility or conflict, and the cooperation, solidarity, coordination, and alliance it also entails, but these uncontrolled media do not know this, or do not want to acknowledge its existence. Anyone who follows the bickering that appears on social media between accounts bearing Arab names, some of which originate from Arab cities, is astonished by the extent of the apparent hostility, shameful targeting, insults, vulgarity, belittlement, and insults.

Some users dedicate their accounts only to target a specific Arab nationality or nationalities. There are huge resources and efforts - some of which may require institutions or some type of organization to sustain and develop them - and these efforts and resources are being made around the clock, and without clear consistency with official policies or the nature of bilateral relations.

These targets do not seek to condemn a specific policy, monitor “shortcomings” in a decision, or criticize the direction or position of a country or its audience, but rather they only aim to demonize members of a certain Arab nationality, inflict shame on everyone who holds it, distort the history of people of this nationality, erase all the virtues they possess or are attributed to them, and cast doubt on every achievement or success they have achieved throughout their history.

I do not have data or results of conclusive scientific studies that indicate that these targets are the result of a specific country or a specific intelligence apparatus, but they are sweeping through all media, and preying on any content that attempts to oppose them or contradict their ideas and claims.

It is true that these shameful targets thrive and flourish when disagreements occur between two or more Arab countries, or when a conflict of political and economic interests emerges in one of the files, but the problem is certainly bigger than that, as many of them proceed in isolation from these events and developments, as if they are implementing a solid and fixed strategy that does not change... and their goal is to spoil relations between the Arabs themselves, amplify internal differences, cultivate lasting grudges that cannot be erased by history, and demonize the image of the Arab. He has his Arab brother.

These accounts want every Arab to see the other Arab as a “insignificant, servile enemy,” and seek to challenge his national and human history, distort his historical leaders and symbols, and present him in an image devoid of any morals or values.

There are many reasons that helped these shameful targets succeed. These new platforms reward deviant, sharp, and fanatical content, while excluding sensible, balanced, and objective content. The disinterested account holder regularly receives social and financial rewards; Shocking content provokes others, with good or bad intentions, to interact with it. Financial gains flow from it, its content topped the “trend” lists, and its fame, and thus its influence, increases.

Some Arab citizens did not have the appropriate opportunities for human interaction with their other Arab peers, and they became easy prey for unjust allegations through “social media.” They form a false image of their fellow Arabs, and they may unfortunately engage in shameful quarrels that add fuel to the burning fire of discord.

Because digital memory is characterized by accumulation, and is difficult to erase and forget, these insults, insults, and fallacies remain, are recalled, and appear in content display lists, and remain latent fuel that fuels the fires of discord.

It cannot be denied that some Arab official authorities may use these accounts in times of crises to influence public opinion, or to exert pressure on others, but this behavior is dangerous and costly and will have unfortunate consequences.

Also, some well-intentioned account holders find themselves in a difficult situation when they want to express their true positions, or use the language of reason, or remind of the facts of the Arab ties and human ties that bring together Arab citizens, so they withdraw in the face of the torrent of hidden attacks, and prefer to remain silent.

Because of the dynamics of new media, the loud voices calling for discord and the demonization of other Arabs find popularity and spread, and are confronted by the silence of rational, balanced and objective voices. Some find themselves pushed to believe the demonizing narrative, and even engage in it, inflame it and contribute to its dissemination.

Arab-Arab relations have multiple political and economic aspects, and may witness discrepancies, disagreements, and clashes at times, but this must remain separate from the image of the Arab among his Arab brother.

It is not wise for us all to engage in parties of cursing and belittling each other, as that will not serve us, nor will it improve our political positions, but it will destroy something authentic and fundamental between us, which has always been our protector in moments of danger.

Quoted from “Al-Masry Al-Youm”