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Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia condemns calls for imposing Israeli sovereignty over occupied West Bank
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by an official from the Israeli occupation authorities calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the West Bank in Palestine, in violation of international legitimacy resolutions. In a statement, the ministry reiterated the Kingdom's firm rejection of any attempts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, and stressed the importance of holding the Israeli authorities accountable to international resolutions. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full support for the Palestinian people in pursuit of their legitimate rights, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'This is the Kingdom's firm and unwavering position,' the statement emphasized.
Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia call for immediate end to Gaza catastrophe
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia and Indonesia voiced their deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip and called on the international community to take immediate practical steps to stop it. In a joint statement issued at the end of the visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the two countries reiterated their commitment to continuing to provide urgent humanitarian and relief support and assistance to address the repercussions of the Israeli aggression in Gaza. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia condemned the use of blockade and starvation by Israel as a weapon against civilians in the Gaza Strip. They expressed their complete rejection of the displacement of Palestinian citizens inside or outside their land, considering this as a blatant violation of international law. 'The international community must play in pressuring the Israeli side to compel it to comply with international law and international legitimacy resolutions,' they said while urging the international community to hold Israel accountable for the crimes being perpetrated against the unarmed Palestinian civilians. The statement highlighted the official talks between Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and President Subianto and their co-chairing of the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council. During the meeting, the Council's governance was approved, along with a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Addressing the council session, the Crown Prince and President Subianto emphasized the importance of continuing to support and develop the work of the council and its sub-committees, and the ongoing coordination between the two sides, which contributes to enhancing its effectiveness as an institutional tool that frames bilateral cooperation. It was decided to hold the second meeting of the council in Indonesia. The two sides welcomed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding between private sector firms in the two countries during Subianto's visit. These deals amounted to approximately $27 billion in a number of fields, including clean energy, petrochemical industries, and aviation fuel services, embodying the two sides' aspirations for an advanced economic partnership. In the economic, trade and investment fields, the two countries praised the strength of their economic ties and agreed on the importance of enhancing their cooperation, especially in joint priority sectors, supporting the building of partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries, and investing in the opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030 and Indonesia Golden Vision 2045 to enhance cooperation in various fields. In the joint statement, the two countries praised the level of bilateral trade, which amounted to approximately $31.5 billion over the past five years, making the Kingdom the first trading partner of Indonesia in the region. They welcomed the positive results of the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Indonesia, which were held between the two sides during September 2024 and February 2025, and expressed their aspiration to conclude the agreement in the near future. The two sides emphasized the importance of enhancing investment cooperation and intensifying efforts to enable strategic partnerships in priority sectors, most notably energy, financial services, mining, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and green technologies, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, Indonesia's Golden Vision 2045, and Indonesia's National Development Priorities. The two countries commended the vital role played by joint investments in supporting economic integration and creating qualitative opportunities for the private sector in both countries. In this regard, the two sides expressed their aspiration to develop an investment-friendly environment and adopt effective mechanisms that enhance the alignment of development and investment policies and contribute to achieving development goals. In the energy sector, the Indonesian side commended the Kingdom's pioneering role and efforts in enhancing the reliability and stability of global oil markets, and its positive role in balancing global energy markets. The Indonesian side emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of supplies for all energy sources in global markets. In this regard, the two sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in the supply of crude oil and its derivatives, petrochemicals, and joint efforts to exploit investment opportunities in the refining and petrochemical sectors. They will also strengthen cooperation in developing and sustaining supply chains in the energy sectors, facilitating cooperation between companies to maximize the use of local resources in both countries, contributing to the flexibility and efficiency of energy supplies, enhancing local content, empowering local industries, and building more resilient and inclusive supply chains. The two sides also agreed to cooperate in implementing electricity, renewable energy, and energy storage projects, as well as developing them, enhancing the participation of companies from both sides in their implementation, and encouraging technology transfer, capacity building, and collaborative research to support national energy transformations and renewable energy development goals. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation and partnership in the following areas: digital economy and innovation, judiciary and justice, labor and human resources, culture, tourism, sports and youth, education and scientific research, industry and mining, agriculture, fisheries, and food security and enhancing air connectivity between the two countries and providing the necessary facilities and exemptions for the two countries' carriers. On the defense and security front, the two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening and developing defense cooperation between the two countries, in a way that serves common interests and contributes to achieving regional and global security and stability. They affirmed their commitment to enhancing their security cooperation and coordination on issues of common interest, including combating all forms of crime, combating terrorism and extremism and their financing, enhancing cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, and exchanging information, expertise, and training, thus contributing to achieving security and stability in the two countries. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Saudi Arabia in response to an invitation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Hilal sign Abderrazak Hamdallah on loan for Club World Cup push
Saudi Gazette report ORLANDO — Al Hilal have officially signed Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah on a short-term loan from Al Shabab to bolster their attacking options during the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The move comes as the Riyadh giants deal with key absences up front, most notably the injury to Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrović, who has yet to feature in the tournament, and team captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who was ruled out for the remainder of the competition after sustaining a hamstring injury in the group stage. Hamdallah arrived at Al Hilal's training camp in Orlando on Wednesday and is expected to take part in the team's afternoon session later today, as preparations continue for their quarter-final clash following a stunning 4-3 win over Manchester City in the Round of 16. The 33-year-old forward brings with him extensive Saudi Pro League experience, having first arrived in the Kingdom with Al Nassr in 2018, later moving to Al Ittihad, and most recently featuring for Al Shabab. He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific scorers in the league's history, currently sitting second in the all-time goal chart behind Syrian striker Omar Al addition gives Italian coach Simone Inzaghi a valuable attacking asset as Hilal look to continue their historic Club World Cup campaign.
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia agree to bolster bilateral ties
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Royal Court of Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Wednesday. During the official meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields, and ways to further strengthen them. They also discussed regional and international developments, and the efforts made in this regard, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. The Crown Prince and President Subianto then chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Indonesian Supreme Coordination Council. Several topics on the agenda were reviewed in the presence of the council members. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two leaders signed the minutes of the council's meeting. Earlier, upon arrival at the place, the Indonesian president was accorded an official reception. At the beginning of the official meeting, the Crown Prince welcomed President Subianto to the Kingdom while the Indonesian president expressed his happiness with this visit and his meeting with the Crown Prince. The talks and the Coordination Council session were attended by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman; Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishal; Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Prince Turki bin Mohammed; Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal; Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif; Minister of the National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar; Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban; Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah; Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi; Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan; Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi; and Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Faisal Al-Amoudi. Several Indonesian ministers and senior officials also attended the talks and the council meeting.
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
International visitors spend nearly SR50 billion in Saudi Arabia during 1Q 2025
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has achieved record growth in spending by international visitors, reaching SR49.4 billion during the first quarter of 2025. This figure represents 9.7 percent growth compared to the same period in 2024, according to travel item data in the balance of payments for the month of May, published by the Ministry of Tourism. The Kingdom achieved a surplus in the travel item of the balance of payments estimated at SR 26.8 billion during the period, a growth rate of approximately 11.7 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The ministry explained that the significant growth in the travel surplus in the balance of payments during the first quarter of 2025 is the result of the efforts made by the ministry and other components of the Saudi tourism system to enhance the tourism sector and its contribution to the growth of the national economy. It also underscores the development witnessed by the tourism sector in the Kingdom. This growth underscores the effectiveness of the efforts exerted by the tourism system to position the sector as a global leader, through the application of best tourism development practices, the advancement of tourism services and products, and the ongoing cooperation with all government agencies to support the development of the tourism sector in the Kingdom and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
