Solving Palestine issue remains ‘main constant’ of Saudi policy: Envoy
Solving Palestine issue remains ‘main constant’ of Saudi policy: Envoy/node/1891841/saudi-arabia
Solving Palestine issue remains ‘main constant’ of Saudi policy: Envoy
Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel attends an interactive dialogue by the Human Rights Council. (Twitter/@KSAPermanentGVA)
Solving Palestine issue remains ‘main constant’ of Saudi policy: Envoy
Al-Wasel said repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic added to the woes of the Palestinian people on top of the occupation
He called for the need to implement UN recommendations and work hard to curb systematic and continuous rights violations
Updated 10 July 2021
Arab News
LONDON: Solving the Palestinian issue and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people are among the main constants of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, and it will continue to support the Palestinian cause at all levels, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva has said.
During an interactive dialogue held on Friday by the Human Rights Council in Geneva with the Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Territories Michael Lynk, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel urged the international community to push toward realizing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
He said that the world faces great challenges due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have added to the woes of the Palestinian people on top of the occupation.
Al-Wasel said that Lynk’s report “clearly demonstrates the deterioration of the human rights situation of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, in addition to the recent escalation of violence in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods, the accompanying forced evictions of Palestinian families from their homes, and the use of excessive force inside the Al-Aqsa mosque and prevention of the entry of worshipers during the month of Ramadan.”
Lynk, who is also a UN human rights investigator, said in his report that Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank amount to a war crime, adding that they violate an absolute ban on an occupying power transferring part of its civilian population into an occupied territory, thereby meeting the definition of a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Al-Wasel called for the need to implement the UN recommendations, and to work hard to curb systematic and continuous rights violations. (With Reuters)
Trump heads for Saudi Arabia on major Middle East tour
Trump’s Middle East tour will start in Saudi Arabia — the same place he began his debut overseas trip in his first term in 2017
Updated 8 sec ago
AFP
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, US: US President Donald Trump on Monday left for Saudi Arabia on what he called a “historic” tour of the Middle East that will mix urgent diplomacy on Gaza with huge business deals.
Air Force One took off on a journey that will include visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — and possibly talks in Turkiye on the Ukraine war.
Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza will hang heavy over the first major tour of Trump’s second term — but in one sign of progress, US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was handed over to the Red Cross just as the president boarded his plane.
“It’s big news,” Trump said at the White House shortly before departing. “He’s coming home to his parents, which is really great news. They thought he was dead.”
Trump has in recent weeks seemed to cool on his efforts to end the Gaza war — despite boasting before taking office that he would be able to bring the conflict to a swift end.
He has also been increasingly at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Gaza, as well as over strikes on Yemen’s Houthi and on how to handle Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump said there were “very good things happening” on talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions — though he added that Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
The US president said that he hoped for more developments on Gaza during his trip to the Gulf, noting that his tour involved “three primary countries” in the region.
“I hope that we’re going to have other hostages released too,” he said when asked if he expected further progress toward a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
Hamas asked Trump to “continue efforts” to end the war after freeing hostage Alexander, while Netanyahu said he would send mediators to Qatar on Tuesday for further negotiations.
Qatar has played a key role as a middleman in talks on ending the war.
Trump said he could change his plans and fly to Istanbul on Thursday if talks between Russia and Ukraine happen there and make progress.
“I don’t know where I’m going to be at that particular point, I’ll be someplace in the Middle East. But I would, if I thought it would be helpful,” Trump told reporters Monday.
Trump added that he thought both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could attend — raising the prospect of a landmark summit.
Trump’s Middle East tour will start in Saudi Arabia — the same place he began his debut overseas trip in his first term in 2017, and memorably posed over a glowing orb with the leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
But on that occasion he also visited Israel, whereas this time it is not on the itinerary.
His decision to once more bypass traditional Western allies to visit the Gulf states underscores their pivotal geopolitical role — as well as his own business ties there.
More large mammals once roamed Saudi Arabia than previously thought
Updated 12 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Three times more large mammal species once roamed Saudi Arabia than previously thought, according to a new study.
The research, conducted in Thuwal, identifies 15 large mammal species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula over the last 10,000 years.
It was published on May 12 in the Journal of Biogeography by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Taibah University.
The findings have potential implications for rewilding efforts in the Kingdom, KAUST said in a statement.
Among the identified species, the majority hail from Africa, including notable predators like lions and cheetahs.
The study also highlights two new species previously unrecognized in the region: the greater kudu and the Somali wild ass.
Currently, the Arabian Peninsula has successfully reintroduced the Arabian oryx and has plans to reintroduce the cheetah.
However, the other 13 species will require careful evaluation to determine their potential for reintroduction.
“Restoration efforts extend beyond vegetation; animals are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems,” emphasized Christopher Clarke, senior project manager at KAUST and a key contributor to the study.
“By identifying the large mammals that have gone extinct, we provide crucial data for governments to consider which species could be reintroduced in the future.”
To reach their findings, Clarke and his colleague, Sultan M. Al-Sharif, an associate professor at Taibah University, meticulously analyzed thousands of petroglyphs — ancient rock carvings — gathered from scientific expeditions, published resources, and even social media, where amateur archaeologists have shared their discoveries.
This approach enabled the researchers to access a wealth of petroglyphs previously unknown to the scientific community.
“Our research reveals that the Arabian Peninsula was far more diverse in large mammals than previously imagined,” said Al-Sharif.
Jusoor exhibition in Kosovo offers a window to Saudi heritage
Updated 12 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The sixth Jusoor exhibition, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Pristina, Kosovo, offered visitors an immersive experience of the Kingdom’s heritage.
The event featured the aroma of incense, the flavor of authentic Saudi coffee, a traditional Najdi majlis and an interactive photo booth, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
At the Saudi coffee section, visitors savored traditional Saudi hospitality with each sip, complemented by the soothing aroma of incense.
The Najdi majlis stood out with its unique architectural design, reflecting the rich heritage of Najd and serving as a dedicated space for hosting guests and VIPs.
The photo booth captivated visitors by offering an immersive cultural experience. Guests could wear traditional Saudi attire and pose against backdrops depicting the Kingdom’s historical and Islamic landmarks, including AlUla, Diriyah and the Two Holy Mosques.
Saudi Ambassador to Albania and Non-Resident Ambassador to Kosovo Faisal bin Ghazi Hifzi also toured the exhibition’s pavilions and associated events, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural and religious dimensions.
He said the diverse components reflect Saudi identity and highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims. The content also promoted the values of tolerance and moderation through interactive displays blending authenticity with modernity.
The ambassador praised the exhibition’s outstanding organization and rich content. He commended its noble message in showcasing the Kingdom’s culture and civilizational contributions, as well as its efforts in serving Islam and promoting the values of moderation.
He highlighted the role of the ministry in organizing distinguished exhibitions abroad, which enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence in international forums and build ties with people around the world.
KSrelief continues aid projects in Yemen, Sudan, Poland
Updated 12 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief is continuing to provide healthcare and food to vulnerable people in Yemen, Sudan and Poland, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
In Yemen, the aid organization concluded a medical program, which ran from May 2 to 9, and consisted of 15 volunteers carrying out liver and biliary operations.
The team performed 115 liver operations and 125 endoscopic procedures, provided outpatient consultations for 40 patients, and delivered six training lectures to local staff.
In addition, the aid agency signed two agreements with two civil society organizations to distribute 600,000 food parcels for needy people.
In Khartoum, Sudan, KSrelief distributed 1,000 food parcels to displaced families, which forms a part of the third phase of this year’s food security project.
Meanwhile in Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief concluded its medical volunteer program, which provided 32 prosthetic limbs to Ukrainian refugees.
From the 1945 FDR-Ibn Saud meeting to Vision 2030, the two countries have built an enduring partnership
President Donald Trump’s second visit to the Kingdom will underscore the mutual interests in diverse fields
Updated 12 May 2025
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Over the past 80 years, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US has evolved into a multifaceted partnership encompassing defense, trade, education, tourism, and more — sustained by connections at every level, from government officials to private citizens.
It is no coincidence that President Donald Trump’s first official overseas trip during his second term is taking him to Saudi Arabia, alongside the UAE and Qatar.
In this photo taken on May 20, 2017, Saudi Arabia's King Salman (R) and US President Donald Trump (C), accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, are shown arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh. (Saudi Royal Palace / AFP)
Since 1974, six US presidents have visited the Kingdom, a testament to Saudi Arabia’s enduring influence as a stabilizing force in a volatile region.
“Today, the US-Saudi relationship is stronger than ever, bolstered by interactions at all levels between our two countries, from government officials to everyday citizens,” Michael A. Ratney, the most recent US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wrote in an oped in Arab News on Sept. 22 last year.
He added: “This strength is palpable in our wide-ranging cooperation — whether in security, commerce, culture or our joint efforts to resolve regional conflicts in places such as Sudan, Yemen and beyond.”
From early cooperation on defense and energy to modern collaboration in education, technology, tourism, and the arts, the bilateral relationship has deepened with time, shaped by regional events, global shifts, and shared interests.
From the historic 1945 meeting between President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz to the new era of hi-tech cooperation, Saudi-US ties have weathered wars, economic shifts and political change. Their partnership remains a vital anchor of global stability. (AFP photo)
Education has remained a cornerstone, notably through the King Abdullah Scholarship Program, which has sent thousands of Saudi students to the US. American students have also come to Saudi Arabia through the Islamic University in Madinah and exchange initiatives such as the Fulbright program and partnerships like the one between Arizona State University and the Saudi Ministry of Education.
In recent years, Vision 2030 has injected new dynamism into Saudi-US collaboration, opening avenues for knowledge exchange and attracting billions of dollars in mutual investment.
A picture taken in the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the US President Donald Trump, shows hosts addressing guests during a presentation on the Saudi Green Initiative, which also includes goals for tree-planting and reducing emissions. (AFP)
Like the US, Saudi Arabia is a nation of innovation, valuing entrepreneurship and technological progress. Many trace the momentum in relations to Trump’s 2017 visit or Vision 2030. But the foundations were laid decades earlier.
The roots go back to the 1940s, following the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud — then known in the West as Ibn Saud — who united the tribes of Najd and Hijaz in 1932 to form Saudi Arabia.
On Feb. 14, 1945, as World War II neared its end, President Franklin D. Roosevelt met King Abdulaziz aboard the USS Quincy in Egypt’s Great Bitter Lake, following the Yalta Conference. The meeting marked a historic turning point. Roosevelt sought King Abdulaziz’s counsel on the issue of Jewish refugees from Europe and looked to Saudi Arabia as a key player in shaping the postwar order.
Roosevelt knew that, even as the Second World War was drawing to a close, in the wings a new world order was taking shape — and that Saudi Arabia was a nation that the US needed to befriend. The two leaders developed mutual respect: Roosevelt gifted the King a DC-3 passenger plane — followed by two more — paving the way for the founding of Saudia Airlines.
Roosevelt died two months later, but the “Quincy Meeting” laid the groundwork for a lasting relationship. In 1953, the two nations formalized military ties through the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement.
In 1957, King Saud became the first Saudi monarch to visit the US, meeting President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Washington National Airport. The visit emphasized the need for lasting solutions to regional challenges and led to a commitment to strengthen the Saudi Armed Forces.
President Dwight Eisenhower (right) in the open car with King Saud, with young son sitting on his lap, as they left the airport in Washington on February 2nd 1957. (Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images/File)
Early cooperation extended to infrastructure, with American architect Minoru Yamasaki designing the Dhahran Civil Aviation Terminal in 1958. Diplomatic visits continued into the 1960s and 1970s, cementing bilateral ties.
In 1966, King Faisal met President Lyndon Johnson during a state visit, followed in 1971 by another official visit, this time with President Richard Nixon.
By 1974, economic ties deepened with the creation of the US-KSA Joint Economic Commission, focused on industrial development, education, technology, and agriculture. That year also saw President Nixon make a historic visit to Saudi Arabia, affirming the growing partnership.
In 1982, Vice President George H. W. Bush visited Riyadh to offer condolences following King Khalid’s death — a gesture underscoring the personal dimension of bilateral relations.
In this photo taken on January 15, 2008, US President George W. Bush dances with a sword with then Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz (R), who was governor of Riyadh, during their tour of the Murabba Palace and National History History Museum. (AFP)
Military cooperation intensified during the Gulf War in 1990–91, when Saudi troops joined American and allied forces in the liberation of Kuwait. The deployment of US troops to Saudi Arabia underlined the Kingdom’s strategic role in regional defense.
In 2002, the Saudi-US Strategic Dialogue was launched during King Abdullah’s visit to President George W. Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas. It aimed to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, energy, education, and economic affairs.
That spirit of collaboration continued in 2005 with the launch of the King Abdullah Scholarship Program, designed to invest in Saudi Arabia’s human capital. The pilot phase sent over 9,000 Saudi students to study in the US — a number that has since multiplied.
High-level engagements carried on with First Lady Laura Bush’s visit in 2007, followed by President Barack Obama’s first presidential trip to Saudi Arabia in 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks with King Salman (3rd R) of Saudi Arabia as they pose for a family photo alongside Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L), Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayed Fahd bin Mahmud Al-Said (2nd L), Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa (2nd R) and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) during the US-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh on April 21, 2016. (AFP)
In 2012, the GCC-US Strategic Forum was established, with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attending the inaugural ministerial meeting in Riyadh — elevating the Gulf Cooperation Council’s role in US regional strategy.
The partnership took another leap in 2017 when President Trump visited Riyadh during his first term. His visit featured three high-profile summits: the Arab Islamic American Summit, the US-Saudi Bilateral Summit, and the US-GCC Cooperation Council Summit. The meetings focused on expanding military and commercial ties.
As the Kingdom reshapes its economy and global engagement through Vision 2030, US partnerships remain integral in areas like energy transition, clean tech and digital transformation.
President Trump’s return visit on Monday, his first official trip abroad in his second term, is expected to reinforce those efforts — focusing on investment, innovation and renewed people-to-people ties.
From the historic 1945 meeting between Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz to the new era of strategic cooperation, Saudi-US ties have weathered wars, economic shifts, and political change. As both nations look ahead, their partnership remains a vital anchor of global stability and opportunity.
