Kuwait expels Israeli known for controversial ‘selfies’

By Mohamed al-Rayes

KUWAIT CITY

The Kuwaiti authorities have deported an Israeli blogger less than 24 hours after his arrival in the country, according to local media reports.

The deportation of Ben Tzion followed widespread criticism of the controversial Israeli blogger by Kuwaiti activists and members of parliament.

Kuwaitis decried the arrival of Ben Tzion, who reportedly claimed to be visiting the country to take part in an international book fair.

Local media outlets, including the Al-Qabas and Al-Rai newspapers, quoted one official source as saying that Ben Tzion -- who had reportedly entered the country on a U.S. passport -- “had not come to take part in the book fair”.

Kuwait’s International Book Fair kicked off Thursday under the theme, “Jerusalem: Palestine’s eternal capital”. It is set to conclude on Nov. 24.

Ben Tzion sparked controversy late last year after posting photos on Instagram showing himself inside the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Nabawi) in the Saudi city of Medina, along with other “selfies” taken in Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.