Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
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Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed on Friday his deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s efforts and honorable positions — under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister — that contributed to France’s historic commitment to recognize the State of Palestine.

Abbas welcomed the message from French President Emmanuel Macron that said France intends to recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He praised this bold step as a significant step towards achieving peace based on the two-state solution, in line with international resolutions and international law.

This move is a victory for the Palestinian cause and reflects France’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate, inalienable rights to their homeland, added Abbas.

He urged other countries to take similar actions by recognizing the State of Palestine based on the internationally recognized two-state solution and in line with relevant international resolutions.



Saudi Defenses Intercept, Destroy 5 Drones and a Ballistic Missile

The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Defenses Intercept, Destroy 5 Drones and a Ballistic Missile

The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)

Saudi air defenses intercepted five drones and a ballistic missile launched by Iran toward the Kingdom in recent hours.

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, announced the interception and destruction of five drones in recent hours, as well as a ballistic missile targeting the Eastern Province.

Al-Maliki confirmed the success of the operations and the readiness of the armed forces to protect the airspace and respond to various threats, with no damage reported.


Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with His Japanese, Chinese Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with His Japanese, Chinese Counterparts

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Thursday from Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi.

The two sides discussed cooperation and recent regional developments.

Prince Faisal also held a separate phone call with Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region.


Saudi Arabia, Arab, and Islamic Nations Condemn Israel’s Death Penalty Law for Palestinians

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Saudi Arabia, Arab, and Islamic Nations Condemn Israel’s Death Penalty Law for Palestinians

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye and the UAE strongly condemned on Thursday Israel’s law that allows the imposition of the death penalty in the occupied West Bank and its de facto application against Palestinians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministers warned against the increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices that entrench a system of apartheid and a rejectionist discourse that denies the inalienable rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

The ministers warned that this legislation represents a dangerous escalation, especially due to its discriminatory targeting of Palestinian prisoners, and emphasized that such measures could intensify tensions and further destabilize the region.

The ministers also expressed deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, warning of mounting risks amid credible reports of ongoing abuses, including torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, starvation, and denial of basic rights. They emphasized that these practices reflect a broader pattern of violations against the Palestinian people.

The ministers reiterated their firm opposition to Israel’s racially discriminatory, oppressive, and aggressive policies directed against Palestinians.

The ministers further emphasized the urgent need to refrain from measures imposed by the occupying power that risk further inflaming tensions on the ground. They stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and called for strengthened international efforts to uphold stability and prevent further deterioration.