Twitter users awoke today to find the hashtag #BoycottUAE trend on no. 1 today in Pakistan, as well as Turkey.
The reason why the hashtag has become a national phenomenon is because of Ankara and the Emirates’ historically strained relationship.
The trend started from Turkish influencer Ali Keskin who started a thread of tweets against the UAE calling for a boycott because the country didn’t support Kashmir when they needed it the most.
Here’s Ali Keskin’s Twitter Thread:
United Arab Emirates is now the enemy of Turkey. I ask all our Muslim friends to impose sanctions on the UAE. #BoycottUAE
โ Ali Keskin (@alikeskin_tr) May 19, 2020
The #BoycottUAE agenda I started 8 hours ago is still in the first place. I would especially like to thank my friends in Pakistan.
continuation ๐คฒ ๐ต๐ฐ๐น๐ท
โ Ali Keskin (@alikeskin_tr) May 19, 2020
UAE remained silent for Kashmir. Turkey will never remain silent. Because we support Pakistan unconditionally. Now some Pakistani friends are protecting us against the UAE. Others want me to finish this boycott.
Sorry but boycott will not end#BoycottUAE !!!
โ Ali Keskin (@alikeskin_tr) May 20, 2020
We supported Pakistan unconditionally for Kashmir.
The Indian government has decided to sanction Turkey.
We never retreated.
Everything is not money.#BoycottUAE pic.twitter.com/3SdzMcdeXb
โ Ali Keskin (@alikeskin_tr) May 20, 2020
I have a lot of pressure on me to finish the boycott. I will not bow. #boycottUAE
โ Ali Keskin (@alikeskin_tr) May 20, 2020
The Internet Splits into Two Over the Tweets
Some support Keskin’s call for boycott, while others have a different opinion.
Dear Ali, Pakistan and UAE have historic ties and this #BoycottUAE hashtag is not in our bilateral interest. We know there are many differences between Turkey and UAE but those should be amicably resolved between the two brotherly Muslim countries through dialogue. Thanks https://t.co/rMPstPnlf4
โ Muhammad Ibrahim Qazi (@miqazi) May 19, 2020
Etihad’s First-Ever Trips toย Israel
Another reason why this trend has a lot of fuel to back the fire is that the UAE’s flag carrier has made its first-ever ‘known’ flight to Israel. Though the countries don’t have any formal ties with one another, the airline’s cargo jet was carrying medical supplies for Palestinians and had landed at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon, took it to his Twitter to share that he hopes to see passenger planes operating between the two countries shortly.
For the first time, an @etihad cargo plane just landed at Israelโs Ben-Gurion airport! Hopefully soon, we will see passenger flights, too. Having visited, I know the UAE is a fascinating place, and look to continue improving relations between our countries. pic.twitter.com/cfBEfTlE7y
โ Ambassador Danny Danon | ืื ื ืื ืื (@dannydanon) May 19, 2020
Pakistan, among other Muslim countries, does not recognize Israel as a state because of its illegal occupation of Palestine. On the other hand, Turkey does not enjoy good relations with Israel.
Whereas Pakistan and Turkey have a good relationship with one another as Pakistan has always supported its sister country and vice versa. One of the most current examples is the popularity and love in the hearts of Pakistanis for the Turkish drama series, Diliris: Ertrugul.
UAE’s Highest Civilian Award
Previously, there was a massive uproar on social media as the United Arab Emirates announced it was awarding its highest civilian award to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite their lockdown on Kashmir.
What do you think about the trend? Is Pakistan doing the right thing by jumping on the bandwagon?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
