Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque
People perform the Friday noon prayer in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Old Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound on August 2, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s remarks on building synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque
  • Kingdom ‘reiterates the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned an Israeli minister’s remarks where he called to build a synagogue at Al-Aqsa mosque, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said early Tuesday.

Israel’s hard-line Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir repeated a call for Jews to be allowed to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, drawing sharp criticism for inflaming tensions as ceasefire negotiators seek a deal to halt fighting in Gaza. 

Asked during an interview if he would build a synagogue on the site if he could, Ben-Gvir replied “Yes, Yes.” 

The Kingdom affirmed its categorical rejection of these extremist and provocative statements, and the ongoing provocations of Muslims around the world.

Saudi Arabia “reiterated the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the statement read.

The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and put an end to the Palestinian humanitarian catastrophe, and activate serious mechanisms to hold Israeli officials accountable for the ongoing violations of international laws, norms and resolutions.


Saudi, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure ties

Saudi, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure ties
Updated 24 sec ago
Follow

Saudi, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure ties

Saudi, South Korean officials discuss infrastructure ties

RIYADH: Mayor of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf met with South Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Sangwoo Park on Tuesday to discuss greater cooperation in infrastructure development.

The two officials explored potential collaboration on infrastructure modernization and development, as well as the exchange of expertise in urban planning, land management, transport and sustainable development.

They also reviewed current plans to ensure environmental sustainability in infrastructure projects, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The South Korean minister congratulated Prince Faisal on Riyadh’s successful bid to host Expo 2030.

The meeting was part of a series of discussions Prince Faisal is holding with public and private sector officials aimed at strengthening international cooperation in infrastructure and smart city initiatives.


KSrelief’s Masam Project clears 1,579 explosive devices in Yemen

KSrelief’s Masam Project clears 1,579 explosive devices in Yemen
Updated 08 October 2024
Follow

KSrelief’s Masam Project clears 1,579 explosive devices in Yemen

KSrelief’s Masam Project clears 1,579 explosive devices in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Masam Project, run by its aid agency KSrelief, dismantled 1,579 explosive devices across various governorates in Yemen between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4.

These included 1,442 unexploded ordnances, 126 anti-tank mines, six other devices, and five anti-personnel mines, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Since its inception, the project has removed 465,252 explosive devices from the country.

Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, remains dedicated to eliminating these dangers, which continue to pose a severe threat to civilians.

These devices have already killed and injured several children, women and the elderly in Yemen.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief supports 13,300 Yemenis in education initiative

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief supports 13,300 Yemenis in education initiative
Updated 08 October 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief supports 13,300 Yemenis in education initiative

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief supports 13,300 Yemenis in education initiative

RIYADH: The second phase of the “Back to School” project in Yemen, funded by Saudi Arabia through its aid agency KSrelief, has supported 13,300 people across Hajjah, Abyan, Hadhramaut, and Perim Island in Taiz.

Running from Sept. 17, 2023, to Sept. 16, 2024, the project provided 95 classrooms equipped with chairs, whiteboards, lighting, and solar-powered fans.

It also distributed 1,900 school uniforms and bags with supplies.

In addition, KSrelief supported local women by training them to manufacture 950 bags, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp

Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp
Updated 08 October 2024
Follow

Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp

Saudi aid agency KSrelief boosts medical services in Egypt, Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp
  • Various clinics provide pediatric, eye, dental, emergency treatments, and open-heart surgeries for needy people

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has stepped up its healthcare services to reach more beneficiaries in Egypt and Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp.

KSrelief’s clinics provided comprehensive medical services to 2,564 Syrian refugees at Jordan’s Zaatari camp during the last week of September, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

During this period, the general medicine clinics treated 680 patients, and the internal medicine clinic saw 79 patients with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

The pediatric, emergency, dental and two gynecology clinics attended to 318 children, 314 patients, 109 patients, and 220 females, respectively, at the camp.

Also, the ear, nose, and throat clinic saw 43 patients with various infections. In addition, the eye, cardiology and diagnostic radiology clinics treated 80, 20 and 31 patients.

The health education department served 72 beneficiaries, and 2,340 medical prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.

A team of volunteers including 14 specialist doctors performed 28 pediatric heart surgeries in Alexandria, Egypt, from Sept. 24 to 30.

The procedures included 23 open-heart surgeries and five cardiac catheterizations, all performed with a 100 percent success rate, said the SPA.

The project was a part of KSrelief’s efforts to provide critical healthcare services to people in need across the world.

“The surgeries were part of a volunteer medical project aimed at providing life-saving heart procedures for children from low-income families,” reported the SPA.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan
Updated 08 October 2024
Follow

Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan

Saudi aid agency KSrelief provides food aid in South Sudan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan
  • 3,700 families benefited from KSrelief food aid in South Sudan including the displaced, elderly, and people with special needs

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently distributed food aid to vulnerable communities in South Sudan, Syria and Kyrgyzstan, according to separate reports from the Saudi Press Agency over the past few days.

In Syria, 6,870 earthquake-affected individuals in Idlib received 1,310 food packages and 1,310 hygiene kits.

As a part of KSrelief’s Food Basket Distribution Project in Bahr El-Ghazal state, South Sudan, 3,700 families benefited including the displaced, elderly, and people with special needs.

The aid agency also provided 435 food parcels in Talas, Kyrgyzstan, benefiting 2,175 individuals. This is a part of the 2024 food aid distribution project that aims to secure 8,100 packages for 35,000 individuals.

“This effort is part of a series of relief and humanitarian projects provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to support needy and affected groups worldwide,” the SPA reported.