Demonstrators harassed Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Tuesday over the kingdom’s human rights practices and his comments that Britain has failed to do enough to stop terrorism.
Before Abdullah arrived on Monday for the first state visit by a Saudi king in two decades, he accused Britain of failing to act on intelligence that might have prevented the 2005 London transit bombings, triggering debate about the kingdom’s response to terrorism.
About 100 human rights and anti-arms trade activists shouted “Shame on you” at the Muslim leader as he made his way to Buckingham Palace in a royal carriage procession.
I think it would be fair to say that King Abdullah could have acted on intelligence to stop fifteen Saudi citizens from hijacking airplanes and killing 3,000 Americans, as long as we’re giving constructive criticism.
Before giving others advice about how to fight terrorism, the King should consider doing a little house cleaning in that kingdom of his. Saudi Arabia is the epicenter of Sunni extremism and continues to be a breeding ground for terrorists.
-Samantha Giles
