Loay Alshareef

Loay Alshareef (Arabic: لؤي الشريف; born 11 November 1982) is a UAE-based Saudi-born Egyptian activist who advocates for the Arab world to normalise relations with Israel.

Biography Alshareef is a Saudi born, was born and raised in Jeddah, in a deeply religious household, to an Egyptian father and a Saudi mother. He grew up thinking that God wanted him to hate Jews and Christians.

Alshareef first met a Jew in 2010 when he traveled to Paris to study French, and was placed with a Yemenite Jewish host family.

He started traveling to the United Arab Emirates in 2016, and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2020.

Support for Zionism and interpretations of Islamic texts Alshareef asserts that Zionism represents the right of Jews to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, a stance he believes is supported by the Quran. He has stated, "Zionism can be defined in one line: the right of Jews to have self-determination in their ancestral homeland". He further argues that Jewish prophets are integral to Islamic tradition, suggesting that denying the Jewish connection to the land undermines Islamic faith.

Criticism and controversy Alshareef's positions have drawn criticism from various quarters. Some detractors label him a "normalizer" or a "Zionist wannabe," accusing him of promoting narratives that align closely with Israeli perspectives. Critics argue that his emphasis on Jewish claims to the land may overlook and diminish the Palestinian narrative and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Additionally, his participation in events organized by pro-Israel organizations and his appearances alongside Israeli officials have been points of contention. For instance, Alshareef has been involved with groups such as StandWithUs and has spoken at events promoting the Abraham Accords, further fueling criticism from those who view these engagements as endorsements of specific political agendas.