Saudi Arabia rejects, condemns Israeli security minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on July 17, 2024. (AFP)
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on July 17, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 18 July 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia rejects, condemns Israeli security minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on July 17, 2024. (AFP)
  • The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also condemned an Israeli parliament vote to oppose a Palestinian state
  • Continuing and hostile practices toward Islamic sacred sites and international resolutions demonstrate the aggressive approach of Israeli authorities, ministry said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and rejected in the strongest terms on Thursday a visit made by Israel’s far-right national security minister to Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist settler leader, said he had gone up to the Jerusalem hilltop compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray for the return of Israeli hostages on Thursday.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also condemned an Israeli parliament vote to oppose a Palestinian state.

The 120-member Knesset late on Wednesday passed by 68 votes to nine a resolution that said a Palestinian state on land occupied by Israel would “perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region.”

These continuing and hostile practices toward Islamic sacred sites and international regulations and resolutions demonstrate the aggressive approach of Israeli authorities, the ministry said. 

The ministry added that these practices prevent the achievement of any progress aimed at sparing the blood of innocent people and achieving a just and comprehensive peace. 

Earlier on Thursday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit as a “provocative intrusion” that endangered the fragile status quo regarding the Jerusalem hilltop compound.


KSrelief distributes aid throughout the Middle East

KSrelief distributes aid throughout the Middle East
Updated 12 sec ago
Follow

KSrelief distributes aid throughout the Middle East

KSrelief distributes aid throughout the Middle East

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continued its humanitarian efforts by implementing the fourth phase of the Al-Amal Charity Bakery project for 2023 in Akkar Governorate and Al-Miniyeh District, Lebanon.

Over the past week, the project distributed 175,000 bundles of bread to 12,000 of the most vulnerable families, including refugees from Syria and Palestine, as well as members of the host community in northern Lebanon.

In addition, on Thursday KSrelief distributed 1,500 cartons of dates to displaced people in Marib Governorate, Yemen, benefiting 9,000 people.

These initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing relief projects driven by KSrelief and aimed at supporting refugees and enhancing food security in various countries.


Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with Pakistan, EU officials

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with Pakistan, EU officials
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with Pakistan, EU officials

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with Pakistan, EU officials
  • Officials discussed international efforts made to address key developments

RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received phone calls from his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Josep Borrell.

During the phone calls, the officials discussed key regional and global developments and international efforts made to address them, state news agency reported on Saturday.

They also explored ways to strengthen bilateral ties.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s decision to confiscate UNRWA headquarters

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s decision to confiscate UNRWA headquarters
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s decision to confiscate UNRWA headquarters

Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s decision to confiscate UNRWA headquarters
  • Kingdom’s stressed the support for UNRWA’s humanitarian mission to provide relief to Palestinian refugees.

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia condemned the illegal decision by the Israeli authorities to seize the land housing of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem and to transform the site into a colonial outpost.


In a statement issued on Sunday, the Saudi foreign ministry called the move illegal and reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of the “blatant Israeli violations of international laws and resolutions without deterrence, and its systematic political and military targeting of the UN agencies, its aid organizations and workers.”
It stressed the Kingdom’s support for UNRWA’s humanitarian mission to provide relief to Palestinian refugees.
Israel’s Land Authority was reportedly in the preparatory stages of a plan to confiscate UNRWA’s site and build 1,440 settlement units.


Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to assist victims of war in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to assist victims of war in Lebanon
Updated 34 min 37 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to assist victims of war in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia opens ‘air bridge’ to assist victims of war in Lebanon

Riyadh: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, on Sunday opened an “air bridge” to transport medical supplies and food aid to Lebanon, state news agency reported on Sunday.

The initiative follows the directives of Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to support those impacted by the war in Lebanon.

The plane that left from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh carried more than 40 tonnes of food, medical supplies and relief materials.

The Saudi aid plane, which landed in Beirut International Airport, was accompanied by a relief team for rescue operations.

KSrelief chief, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, said the initiative was part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to aid people and countries in need across the world.

 

 

Since Sept. 23, Israel has launched an intense air campaign mainly targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, killing more than 1,150 people and displacing more than one million people.

The UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Romania and France are among the countries to have sent aid to Lebanon.


Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy

Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy
Updated 12 October 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy

Saudi Arabia participates in G7 health ministers’ meeting in Italy

ANCONA: Saudi Arabia took part in a meeting of health ministers in Ancona, Italy, focusing on global health priorities this week at the invitation of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.

Topics included antimicrobial resistance, the intersection of health and climate, and prolonging human life, all aimed at strengthening international efforts to tackle these challenges, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Rakan bin Khalid bin Duhaish, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation, who was representing the Saudi delegation, emphasized the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance, calling for increased international collaboration.

He also announced that the Kingdom would host the fourth high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance in Jeddah on Nov. 15 and 16.

Duhaish further highlighted the impact of climate change on public health, stressing the Kingdom's commitment to working with global partners to enhance the resilience of health systems.

Saudi Arabia’s participation at the G7 underscores its pivotal role in shaping global health strategies and reflects international trust in its initiatives to promote public health and health security worldwide.