A prominent Saudi academic has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of throwing itself "into the arms of Zionism" and functioning as "Israel's Trojan horse in the Arab world" in order to weaken Riyadh and emerge as a dominant regional power.
In a scathing column published in the Saudi newspaper Al Jazirah on Thursday, Ahmed Altuwaijri accused leaders in the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi of being "blinded" by "hatred and jealousy" and of turning against the kingdom despite decades of Saudi support.
Altuwaijri, a former Shura Council member, singled out Abu Dhabi for criticism, saying it was behind several attempts to destabilise the region and claimed it was pursuing "hostile plots under the guise of diplomacy".
The Shura Council is a consultative, legislative body that advises the king on laws, policies and governance.
Framing the emirate's actions as an existential threat, Altuwaijri said that the UAE, which is governed by Mohammed bin Zayed - a staunch opponent of political Islam - had collaborated with Israel to the detriment of Arab interests.
