OIC to Hold Extraordinary Meeting Tuesday to Address Israeli Violations at Al-Aqsa 

Palestinians gather in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the Friday noon prayer in Jerusalem on January 6, 2023. (AFP)
Palestinians gather in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the Friday noon prayer in Jerusalem on January 6, 2023. (AFP)
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OIC to Hold Extraordinary Meeting Tuesday to Address Israeli Violations at Al-Aqsa 

Palestinians gather in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the Friday noon prayer in Jerusalem on January 6, 2023. (AFP)
Palestinians gather in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the Friday noon prayer in Jerusalem on January 6, 2023. (AFP)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an extraordinary meeting for its executive committee on Tuesday to address the Israeli violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. 

The meeting will be held at its headquarters in Jeddah. 

Tensions ran high at Al-Aqsa last week when Israel's new far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir briefly visited the holy site. 

The move drew widespread condemnation in the Arab world. 

UN Security Council members voiced concern on Thursday and stressed the need to maintain a status quo at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. 



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.