Bidoon stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship reveals deeper truth about Gulf states' identity politics
📰 THE STORY: The New Arab details how Kuwait has been systematically stripping citizenship from its 'Bidoon' (stateless) population, some of whom have lived in the country for generations. Prominent figures are affected, raising questions about identity and who 'belongs' in the Gulf state. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Bidoon issue is not unique to Kuwait. Following the
oil boom in the 1950s and 60s, Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar implemented highly restrictive nationality laws. This created a permanent underclass of migrant workers and stateless people who were essential for building these nations but denied basic rights, ensuring their labor could be exploited without political demands. Kuwait itself naturalized many stateless residents in 1959,
but then reversed course, particularly after the 1980s, creating the Bidoon crisis we see today. In 1991, following the Gulf War, Kuwait's government expelled over 400,000 Palestinian and Jordanian residents, many of whom had been citizens or long-term residents, as collective punishment for perceived pro-Iraq sentiments. This drastic move set a precedent for mass denationalization and expulsion
based on political expediency. Double Standard: Western media often frames citizenship stripping in countries like Russia (e.g., of dissidents) as a grave human rights abuse or a sign of authoritarianism. Yet, similar practices in Gulf monarchies, who are critical Western allies and oil suppliers, receive comparatively muted condemnation. When Israel revokes the residency rights of Palestinians in