RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday “strongly condemned” Israel’s decision to establish 800 settlement units in the West Bank, Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The ministry renewed its categorical rejection of this move as a new violation of decisions of international legitimacy, a threat to peace and undermines the efforts for a two-state solution,” the statement added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered construction plans advanced on Monday for some 800 Jewish settler homes in the occupied West Bank, anchoring the projects in the final days of the pro-settlement Trump administration.
Palestinians condemned such construction as illegal and most countries view Israeli settlements as violating international law.
An announcement by Netanyahu’s office said the homes would be built in the settlements of Beit El and Givat Zeev, north of Jerusalem, and in Tal Menashe, Rehelim, Shavei Shomron, Barkan and Karnei Shomron in the northern West Bank. It gave no starting date for construction.
Palestinians seek to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, all land captured by Israel in a 1967 war.
“It is an attempt to race against time and benefit from the last days of the current US administration,” Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, told Reuters.
The Trump administration has effectively backed Israel’s right to build West Bank settlements by abandoning a long-held US position that they break international law.
Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, said Netanyahu wants the settlement move “to be set in stone before the Biden administration comes into office, and maybe changes Israeli-American tacit understandings on settlements that existed under Trump.”
Netanyahu also wants to tell voters he is “the only leader who can stand up to Biden and make sure he doesn’t dictate our policy in the (Palestinian) territories,” Talshir said.
Most countries view Israeli settlements as violating international law. More than 440,000 Israeli settlers now live among 3 million Palestinians who have limited self-rule under Israeli occupation.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said all settlements are illegal and in violation of the international law and UN’s Security Council resolutions.
He said there will no security or stability in the region without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also expressed its concern over the announcement. It said such measures only undermine the chances for a two-state solution.
The EU also renewed its opposition to the Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“Settlement activities are in violation of the international law and undermine the peace process,” said a spokesman for the European External Action Service in Brussels.
France on Tuesday also condemned Israel’s move, and in a statement the Foreign Ministry urged Israeli authorities to drop the plan.
Referring to Israel and the Palestinians, who seek a state in Israeli-occupied territory, it said: “(We) call on the parties to avoid any unilateral measures that could jeopardize the two-state solution founded on international law and agreed parameters.”
Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israeli settlement in West Bank
https://arab.news/9f7fx
Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israeli settlement in West Bank
- Kingdom says the move is a threat to peace, undermines efforts for a two-state solution
- France also says it condemns Netanyahu's plan
‘Walking Guide’ volunteer service introduced for Grand Mosque pilgrims
- Service provides assistance to those with mobility difficulties
- Guides facilitate movement throughout the mosque complex
MAKKAH: A new volunteer assistance service has been introduced at Saudi Arabia’s two holy mosques to aid pilgrims, particularly the elderly and disabled.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced the program as part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Speaking to Arab News, the initiative’s director, Bassem Wahbo, explained that guides are identifiable through prominent signage and floor markers that pinpoint their locations.
“This system creates effective connections between locations and nearby services, representing a critical advancement in our visitor assistance capabilities, supporting the initiative’s goals of providing effective and direct assistance to (visitors),” Wahbo said.
“We provide precise guidance to ensure all visitors enjoy a comfortable and smooth experience, with special focus on elderly and disabled pilgrims by directing them to dedicated pathways and services that facilitate easy access to their destinations,” he added.
The initiative serves multiple purposes, mainly facilitating movement throughout the mosque complex, providing assistance to worshippers navigating to prayer areas and services, supporting vulnerable visitors to ensure their comfort during religious rituals, and directing people to optimal routes and available amenities.
The authority emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting elderly and disabled visitors through specialized guidance services to help them reach their destinations with ease.
Hajj and Umrah specialist Saad Al-Sharif praised the initiative as “exceptional,” noting its comprehensive approach to visitor assistance.
“The guides provide crucial field direction to circumambulation areas, Sa’i, prayer halls, entrances, exits, and service locations. They reunite lost individuals — particularly children and elderly pilgrims — with their proper destinations and offer multilingual assistance to international visitors,” Al-Sharif explained.
Umrah performer Abdulrahman Faisal highlighted the teams’ importance in emergency response situations.
“They provide immediate assistance to visitors experiencing difficulties such as heat stress or exhaustion and coordinate with relevant authorities when necessary,” he said.
He explained that it is particularly important to guide Umrah performers and tourists toward correct behaviors inside the mosque to preserve the sanctity of the place and maintain orderly movement, which the authorities are working hard to achieve.
Faisal noted that guides operate within a mobile system, patrolling the mosque complex with identification badges and communication devices.
They are strategically positioned at key locations including entrances, the Tawaf area, the Sa’i walkway, and main gates.
“Their use of smart applications and digital mapping technology to deliver accurate, instant information is particularly impressive,” he added.
The service has already reportedly reduced instances of disorientation among visitors while improving the ritual experience and enhancing overall organization.
KSrelief concludes open-heart surgery project in Yemen
- 25 Yemenis benefit from free open-heart operations in Aden
ADEN: Medical volunteers from the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief successfully performed 25 free open-heart surgeries in Yemen’s Aden governorate recently, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The members of the mission, which took place from March 11 to 18, also performed 65 cardiac catheterization procedures and six transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures.
Twelve volunteers participated in the mission, a joint project of KSrelief and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.
This was a part of KSrelief’s free medical program that is being implemented worldwide, the SPA report stated.
How AI is transforming music discovery and production in Saudi Arabia
- AI is creating new music experiences while preserving the Kingdom’s musical heritage through initiatives like MusiqAI
- MDLBEAST Records, another Saudi initiative, leverages AI tools to spark creativity in music production
RIYADH: As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its influence in Saudi Arabia and globally extends far beyond personalizing music experiences. It is reshaping how music is created, consumed, and taught, revolutionizing the industry.
Musicians across the Kingdom are embracing new technology, with major local initiatives such as MDLBEAST Records leading the charge.
“MDLBEAST Records believes AI is a powerful tool for sparking initial creative inspiration in music production — whether generating a first beat, a musical bar, or a legitimate sample,” Matthew Dicks, executive director of music and talent at MDLBEAST Records, told Arab News.
“We encourage our artists to explore these possibilities within a framework of creative freedom.”
Launched in 2020, MDLBEAST Records is a Saudi Arabia label that promotes and develops talent from the Middle East and North Africa region.
Part of MDLBEAST entertainment, its roster includes local stars Cosmicat and Dish Dash, among others, along with international names including Salvatore Ganacci.
While embracing AI’s creative potential, he emphasized the importance of ethics. “We also recognize the ethical complexities surrounding AI in music,” said Dicks. “It is paramount that the rights of original songwriters and rights holders are always respected.
“Copying, ripping, replicating, or infringing on intellectual property is strictly unacceptable. We are committed to navigating the evolving landscape of AI in music responsibly, ensuring its use enhances human creativity while upholding the integrity of artistic ownership.”
Beyond MDLBEAST Records, Saudi Arabia is making strides in preserving its musical heritage while fostering innovation. In late 2024, the Saudi Music Commission launched MusiqAI, an initiative integrating AI-driven interactive learning to teach both Arab and Western instruments.
Unlike global platforms such as Suno, AIVA and Soundful, MusiqAI prioritizes Saudi sounds and Arab musical heritage, offering lessons on traditional instruments including the oud and qanun alongside the piano and guitar.
In line with Vision 2030, the platform nurtures musical talent through AI-powered real-time feedback, personalized lesson plans, and accredited certifications.
By blending cultural preservation with advanced technology, it aims to set a new standard for digital music education both regionally and globally.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The global market for AI in music is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2023 to $38.7 billion by 2033.
• AI tools such as AIVA, Mubert, and Suno are already used for backing tracks, jingles, and even entire songs.
• Platforms like Spotify use AI to analyze user preferences and suggest music based on listening habits.
AI has also been used to enhance music discovery by adapting to individual preferences in real time, striking a balance between familiarity and exploration.
“AI and personalization help you listen to more of what you like,” Akshat Harbola, managing director of Spotify MENA, told Arab News. “And then what we try to do is introduce you to something you haven’t been exposed to in the past, but you might like it.”
As generative AI advances, the cost of developing innovative listening experiences is falling — a shift that Harbola believes is transformative for the industry.
“If we were to try to do something like this maybe five years back, it would be impossible because the cost would be so high,” he said. “You would have had to hire transcribers, producers, and you just wouldn’t be able to do it.
“But now we are able to deliver these personalized sessions to millions of users.”
Despite AI’s growing influence, Harbola said human expertise will remain essential. “The role of humans in AI, and when it comes to personalization, is actually going to increase over time — especially in music,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of cultural nuances in AI-driven recommendations, noting that even shared musical tastes can differ by location.
“Even if you have the same music taste, what makes sense for somebody in Jeddah may not make sense for somebody in Sao Paulo,” he said. “So it’s very important that human and cultural expertise is built into what the machines are recommending and the products we’re rolling out.”
Nevertheless, as AI continues to reshape the music industry, ethical concerns surrounding copyright and artistic integrity remain a significant topic of debate among musicians and creators.
Addressing these concerns, Harbola emphasized the platform’s strict stance on copyright compliance. “We are very clear that any content that infringes copyright cannot be on Spotify,” he said.
Siddiq “Sidney” Malik, a filmmaker and user of AI in music, echoed this sentiment. “We’re at the intersection of creativity and technology,” he told Arab News. “We’re sort of working to adapt the future of entertainment while we’re actively shaping it.”
Malik views AI as an empowering tool that is cost-effective, innovative, and cutting-edge, particularly in breaking linguistic barriers. “This allows for a new era of accessibility and artistic expression,” he said. “It’s more than just a basic tool.”
Malik said it is not just about typing a prompt into a platform like ChatGPT — it is about creating an entire ecosystem.
“We’re deeply invested in the transformative power of AI music, but the key thing is that we believe it’s not about replacing human creativity — it’s about amplifying it,” he said.
However, he warned that musicians who resist AI adoption could later face competition from advanced tools. “It’s a critical moment for creators whereby if they do not embrace and collaborate with AI, they run the risk of competing with AI — which will be impossible.”
Drawing parallels to shifts in the film industry, Malik noted how creatives have adapted before and must do so again to embrace AI’s possibilities.
“I think we have had these shifts — analog to digital to virtual and now artificial,” he said. “AI gives artists the power to be the masters of their own destiny, which is very important in the music industry.”
Riyadh-based musician Lun encapsulates the cautious yet curious approach many artists are taking toward the rapidly evolving music landscape shaped by AI.
“I have not used AI before in my own music because I never thought I needed to. But as a tool, it can be of help,” he told Arab News.
While intrigued by AI’s potential, Lun highlighted ethical concerns that remain central to discussions across the industry.
“If an artist uses it to help with something they’re stuck on — to compile ideas so they can come up with an original part on their own — then I don’t see any harm in it,” he said.
“But if they use the tool to write the entire thing from A to Z, then I think we have a problem because it is no longer the artist who composed it, regardless of how they spin it.”
Eastern Province carries out health inspections
DAMMAM: Eastern Province Municipality carried out 10,540 inspections of commercial and food establishments in Dammam this month. It is part of the municipality’s plans to ensure compliance with health and municipal regulations, while also promoting food safety in markets, restaurants and shops.
Inspectors identified 931 violations, including cases of noncompliance with municipal and health regulations, improper food handling and storage, failure to meet hygiene and safety standards, and noncompliance with activity and operating licenses.
The municipality said that it will increase inspections of all commercial and food establishments, and encouraged the public to report any health or regulatory violations by contacting the dedicated complaints center (940).
KSrelief distributes 400 food baskets in South Africa
PRETORIA: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed 400 food baskets to families most in need in Bakerton, South Africa. The move will benefit 2,400 individuals as part of the Etaam Ramadan Food Basket Distribution Project in the country.
The scheme aims to distribute more than 390,000 food baskets to 2,304,104 individuals across 27 countries during the month at a total cost of more than SR67 million ($17.88 million).
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief effort to assist people and nations in need worldwide.
The center also distributed 1,500 food baskets in the Bahri locality of Khartoum State in Sudan, benefiting 10,182 individuals from displaced families. This forms part of the third phase of KSrelief’s food security support project in Sudan.
The project aims to distribute 30,000 food baskets to displaced people returning to their homes under the voluntary return program in different parts of Sudan.
