KSA denounces Israeli bid to Judaize Jerusalem

JEDDAH: The Cabinet meeting on Monday urged the international community to stop the Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories and its attempts to Judaize Jerusalem and divide Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Israel has moved some offices to occupied Jerusalem and has been arresting Palestinians in groups. Such developments and violations of Palestinian human rights prove its flagrant attempts to Judaize the holy city through accelerating the pace of settlements,” it said.
The Cabinet hailed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s program to host 1,000 Muslims for Umrah every year.
The Cabinet passed a new law to regulate grants and donations by government bodies. It appreciated a statement issued by the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars urging citizens to keep away from activities that would lead to division, chaos and confusion. The Cabinet amended some of the articles of the Saudi Fund for Development, allowing the fund to provide grants for technical assistance to finance studies and logistical support for projects. However, the total annual amount allocated for this purpose should not exceed 2 percent of its net income.
In accordance with the amendment, the fund can contribute up to 5 percent of its capital to a development project. But the project must use national products.
The Cabinet extended its thanks and appreciation to the king for receiving chairs and members of the Council of Saudi Chambers, chairs and chief executive officers of banks, business leaders and senior officials of the ministries of commerce and industry and labor, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.
In this regard, the Cabinet stressed Saudi Arabia’s “free economic system that provides opportunities for all, without any interference.”
The Cabinet reviewed several reports pertaining to the latest developments in the region and welcomed the Kuwait Declaration issued at the end of the 42nd Organization of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers’ meeting, which was held under the theme “Joint vision to enhance tolerance and reject terror.”