Saudi Arabia Reiterates Need to Implement Int’l Resolutions on Palestine

King Salman chairs a virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Need to Implement Int’l Resolutions on Palestine

King Salman chairs a virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a virtual cabinet meeting. (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet reiterated on Tuesday its position at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting on the repercussions of Israel’s annexation of portions of the occupied West Bank.

The OIC had held an extraordinary meeting last week to address Israel’s annexation plans.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that was held virtually.

The ministers warned that Israel’s annexation plans are a blatant violation against international resolutions and a dangerous escalation that undermines chances for resuming the peace process and achieving regional security and stability.

They renewed Saudi Arabia’s position at the OIC for the need for a united Islamic stance against Israel’s plans and for exerting effective action that will lead to a serious and clear international position that forces Israel to respect Palestinian rights.

The cabinet underlined the OIC meeting’s commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers also reviewed the latest local and international developments linked to the coronavirus pandemic. They assessed the latest tally in the Kingdom and efforts to treat patients, carry out more tests throughout the country and ensure that preventive measures are respected to curb the spread of the disease.

On Saudi Arabia’s participation at the France-hosted G5 Sahel Joint Force summit, the cabinet said the Kingdom will spare no effort in backing all countries in their war against terrorism and extremism.

It also renewed its condemnation of the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias’ continued firing of ballistic missiles and drones towards civilian installations in the Kingdom.



Saudi Interior Ministry Enforces Penalties for Violating Hajj Permit Rules

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Enforces Penalties for Violating Hajj Permit Rules

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)

Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, Spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, announced that penalties are now being implemented against those performing Hajj, entering, or staying in Makkah and the holy sites without a permit. He made the remarks during a session at the Digital Communication Conference.
The Spokesman stated that anyone caught performing Hajj without a permit, or entering or staying in Makkah or the holy sites on a visit visa, faces a fine of up to SAR20000, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.
He added that anyone facilitating these violations—such as applying for visas, transporting, sheltering, concealing, or otherwise assisting violators—faces a fine of up to SAR100000.
Fines are applied per individual violation. Residents or overstayers caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and banned from the Kingdom for 10 years, he noted.
Bin Shalhoub also warned against fraudulent Hajj schemes that falsely promise services such as accommodation, transport, surrogate Hajj services, sacrificial animals, or fake bracelets.
He also highlighted the ongoing "Makkah Route" initiative, part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030, operating at 11 airports in 7 countries. Launched in 1438 AH (2017 AD), the initiative has served 940,657 pilgrims.