Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s West Bank annexation plans

Construction workers build new houses in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, in the occupied West Bank. (AFP/File)
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Updated 22 May 2020
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Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s West Bank annexation plans

  • We oppose anything that hinders peace process to achieve stability, says Saudi Foreign Ministry
  • President Abbas has informed Israelis and Americans of his decision to annul all pacts with them

AMMAN: Saudi Arabia said on Thursday that it rejected Israel’s pledge to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

The Foreign Ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “condemnation of any unilateral decisions and any violation of legitimate international decisions.” 

It said it opposed anything that hinders the peace process to achieve stability in the region. The Kingdom continued to “support the Palestinians and their choices, as well as their right to establish their own independent state.”

Israel’s new coalition government is expected to discuss proposals to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank. 

In response, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he was cutting off all agreements signed with Israel and the US, and had informed those countries of his intentions.

The Israeli threat to annex the land has been widely condemned by both Arab and Western nations. The Vatican said the Israeli move was concerning and could further compromise peace dialogue.

Respect for international law and UN resolutions was an “indispensable element for the two peoples to live side by side,” the Vatican said following talks between chief foreign policy official Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

“The Holy See is following the situation closely, and expresses concern about any future actions that could further compromise dialogue,” the Vatican said.

Speaking to a select group of journalists Erekat said that Palestine will happily attend an international conference arranged by Russia. 

“We have been in contact for some time with the quartet which includes Russia and we have been discussing the possibility of a quartet plus meeting that could include Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, and others.”

Erekat said that Palestinians are proud of their relations with the Russians and “we will attend any meeting that they organize on the terms of reference of what has been agreed.” Erekat revealed that the idea of an international conference was also discussed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called Abbas on Wednesday.

Erekat noted that the last time security coordination was suspended — by Palestinian President Arafat — Ariel Sharon sent in the tanks to Ramallah, but he said: “We are on our land and we are not going anywhere.”

In reply to a question from Arab News Erekat said: “Former President Obama asked that the state of Palestine refrain from joining 22 international organizations and we agreed on condition that the American president commit in writing about the 1967 borders of the future Palestinians and that the US would not move its embassy to Jerusalem.”


Study to document 12,000 species in Saudi Arabia will improve quality of life, says wildlife CEO

Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration is one of largest projects to explore biodiversity in Kingdom.
Updated 6 sec ago
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Study to document 12,000 species in Saudi Arabia will improve quality of life, says wildlife CEO

  • The Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration is one of the largest national projects to explore biodiversity in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A new study to document biodiversity in Saudi Arabia will “positively impact” the environment, society and quality of life, according to National Center for Wildlife CEO Mohammad Qurban.

Qurban spoke to Arab News about how the Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration “reflects national efforts to restore ecosystems and enhance ecological balance, in line with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030.”

Qurban told Arab News: “The expeditions provide an updated and accurate database that constitutes a baseline for integrated and sustainable management, which benefits the sustainability of our natural resources and the balance of our environment.

“This positively impacts environmental, social, and economic development and raises the quality of life.”

The expedition is scheduled to provide a comprehensive inventory of biodiversity in all study areas, identifying breeding and distribution sites.

It will also create a national database and interactive maps of recorded sites and species, he added.

The Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration is one of the largest national projects to explore biodiversity in the Kingdom, according to a recent statement issued by the center.

The project will help to document the significant biological wealth of Saudi Arabia, he added, and strengthen the Kingdom’s role in regional and international environmental agreements.

“The Kingdom boasts 65 ecosystems and more than 12,000 species of wild plants and animals,” Qurban said.

“The Kingdom will have a unique database of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems, a starting point for sustainable management and a reliable reference for researchers and scientists,” Qurban said.

The expedition will involve experts and researchers from the Kingdom and beyond, in collaboration with national universities, research centers, royal reserves and other international organizations.

It will identify endemic, threatened and restricted-range species, assessing the threats they face, and developing plans to mitigate those threats and create a safe and sustainable environment.

The program also involves updating the national wetland plan in the Kingdom.


Historic Jeddah’s wooden doors exemplify traditional Hijazi architecture

Updated 27 min 49 sec ago
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Historic Jeddah’s wooden doors exemplify traditional Hijazi architecture

RIYADH: Ancient wooden doors scattered across the alleys of Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad neighborhood exemplify the traditional architecture of the Hijaz region.

Their beauty has been preserved for centuries, and they have become symbolic of the architectural identity that led to the area joining the UNESCO World Heritage List.

These doors are crafted from teak and walnut wood imported from India and East Africa, renowned for their durability and weatherproof quality.

They are reinforced with large iron nails and adorned with arabesque, geometric, and botanical engravings, reflecting the creativity of local craftspeople in Jeddah who developed this craft generation after generation.

The wooden doors serve multiple architectural functions, according to the Saudi Press Agency, most notably protecting homes from summer heat and providing ventilation through finely decorated openings, in addition to their aesthetic appeal.

Some doors feature double layers: a large outer one for visitors and a smaller one allowing easy entry and exit without opening the main door.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030 efforts to preserve historic Jeddah, dozens of wooden doors have undergone meticulous restoration by specialized artisans using the same original wood, with careful documentation of engravings and decorations to ensure their preservation.

These are testimonies to the evolution of Hijazi society and its adaptation to the environment.

They carry in their engravings stories of trade and seafaring, showing how architecture preserves the identity of a place and the spirit of its people.

Al-Balad is believed to have been inhabited since the era before Islam, according to Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage sources.

Some of the buildings that stand there today were built around 400 years ago. 

Old Jeddah includes a number of monuments and heritage buildings such as the Old Jeddah wall and its historical open squares such as Al-Mazloom, Al-Sham, Al-Yemen and Al-Bahr Haras. 

The Old Jeddah wall was built to fortify the city from attacks initiated by the Portuguese coming in from the Red Sea, but it was torn down in the 1940s due to urbanization. 


Saudi team aims for podium at international astrophysics olympiad in Mumbai

Updated 17 August 2025
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Saudi team aims for podium at international astrophysics olympiad in Mumbai

  • 5 Saudi students compete at 2025 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Saudi Arabia won 3 bronze medals at the olympiad’s 2024 edition in Rio de Janeiro Sanjay Kumar

NEW DELHI: Saudi students are aiming for the podium at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics held in India’s Mumbai this week, building on their team’s successful debut last year.

The IOAA is a worldwide annual competition to recognize talented high school students in astronomy and astrophysics through a series of theoretical, practical and experimental tests.

This year, the event featuring 320 students from 64 countries is organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education — a national center of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research — in Mumbai from Aug. 11-21.

The Saudi team has been trained by Mawhiba — the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, a non-profit endowment dedicated to nurturing young talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — with support from the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Space Agency, and NEO Space Group.

“This year, five talented students were nominated to be part of the Saudi national team after highly competitive and rigorous qualification stages that spanned almost a year,” Talal Al-Dawood, supervisor of the astronomy and space program at Mawhiba, told Arab News.

“It goes without saying that they are extremely proud and excited to represent the Kingdom in such a prestigious international event.”

Saudi Arabia’s national team at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics pose for a photo with their team leaders in Mumbai on Aug. 12, 2025. (Mawhiba)

The IOAA was first held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007. Saudi Arabia debuted in the competition at its 2024 edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with its three-member team winning three bronze medals.

“Given this remarkable success in our debut year, our students are now setting their goals on even higher achievements. With more experience and a larger team, we have every reason to be optimistic about surpassing last year’s performance,” Al-Dawood said.

“In the Kingdom, scientific olympiads hold tremendous significance for our high school students. Thousands compete annually for the honor of raising the Saudi flag on the winners’ podium.”

Besides examinations, students will also take part in several excursions in and around Mumbai.

“Since the announcement of the IOAA 2025 host last year, everyone has been looking forward to this opportunity. India has long established itself as one of the most exceptional hosts for scientific olympiads … Our students were absolutely thrilled to be here,” Al-Dawood said.

“For them, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage and bring honor to their nation.”


Jeddah mental health center unveils robot to support addiction recovery

Humanoid robot Raseen was unveiled in a Jeddah mental health centre to support addiction recovery. (SPA)
Updated 17 August 2025
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Jeddah mental health center unveils robot to support addiction recovery

  • Digital assistant Raseen provides psychological support and takes part in awareness campaigns
  • Experts stress importance of ethics in using AI for psychological support

JEDDAH: Eradah Mental Health Complex in Jeddah recently unveiled a robot, named “Raseen,” as part of the digital health transformation underway in Saudi Arabia.

Raseen is Eradah’s digital assistant, designed to support patients on their recovery journey and raise community awareness about the dangers of substance abuse through advanced artificial intelligence and interactive educational content.

The name of the humanoid robot is derived from the Arabic word for sobriety, symbolizing a state of abstinence from drugs and alcohol while striving for balance in health, psychology, society and spirituality.

Unlike traditional robots that perform simple tasks such as serving drinks or working in restaurants, Raseen is an interactive humanoid.

Dressed in traditional Saudi attire, he listens to questions, analyses them, and responds with scientifically accurate answers.

Powered by advanced AI algorithms and precise scientific programming, Raseen exceeds the capabilities of ordinary chatbot systems, enabling its use in a variety of fields, including awareness campaigns, psychological support, administrative functions and more.

Dr. Khalid Al-Oufi, general supervisor of Eradah, told Arab News: “Raseen participates in international days, forums and conferences related to mental health and addiction.

“He also visits schools, universities, government facilities, walking tracks and sports clubs, where he privately listens to people’s concerns about mental health and addiction and provides clear, detailed responses.”

Al-Oufi, who is also a consultant psychiatrist, addiction specialist and head of the addiction division at the Saudi Psychiatric Association, added: “Raseen also raises awareness about the risks of mental illness and addiction, methods of early detection and intervention, available psychiatric services and how to access them, as well as prevention strategies to avoid relapse.”

In outpatient clinics and inpatient wards, Raseen plays a role in patient education during individual and group therapy sessions.

The robot explains the nature of psychiatric disorders and addiction, prevalence rates, causes and triggers, types of mental illnesses and narcotics, warning signs, complications, prognosis with or without treatment, and behavioral as well as pharmacological treatment options.

Al-Oufi further explained that Raseen supports administrative and professional development by educating staff about their rights and responsibilities, workplace policies and procedures, job descriptions and organizational structures.

He helps staff to understand Vision 2030 and the health sector transformation plan while offering suggestions for improvement and addressing employees’ inquiries.

AI in mental health: promise and challenges

The use of artificial intelligence in mental health is multifaceted. While there are concerns about job displacement, social isolation and ethical considerations, AI offers powerful opportunities to enhance access to care and strengthen mental health support.

Experts from the National Centre for Mental Health Promotion emphasize the importance of striking a careful and ethical balance between the benefits and challenges of AI to ensure a positive impact.

According to the NCMHP, AI has the potential to play a crucial role in diagnosis and treatment.

While this can improve medical outcomes, the NCMHP stresses that overreliance on AI could undermine the human connection between patients and caregivers, potentially leading to diminished trust.

Ethical issues remain at the forefront, particularly regarding data privacy and algorithmic bias. Data breaches or misuse of personal information could erode public trust in technology and fuel anxiety over privacy concerns.

Nevertheless, the NCMHP notes that the future of AI in mental health is promising. AI-driven applications and chatbots are being continuously developed to provide mental health support, and the number of AI tools in healthcare is expected to increase fivefold by 2035.


Riyadh to celebrate Saudi Arabia-Japan diplomatic relations with free cultural event

Updated 17 August 2025
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Riyadh to celebrate Saudi Arabia-Japan diplomatic relations with free cultural event

RIYADH: Riyadh will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Saudi Arabia-Japan diplomatic relations with a special Japan Festival scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

The two-day free event will highlight Japanese culture with traditional performances, hands-on workshops, tourism experiences, and corporate booths.

A special performance featuring a traditional type of Japanese theater will take place at the event.

More performance details are expected to be announced soon, according to the Japanese embassy in Saudi Arabia.

The event will be held at Riyadh’s Cultural Palace.

This article also appears on Arab News Japan