Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel
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Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Syria, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain, together with League of Arab States (LAS), expressed their strong condemnation and profound concern regarding the statements made by the United States Ambassador to Israel, in which he indicated that it would be acceptable for Israel to exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported "their categorical rejection of such dangerous and inflammatory remarks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the region."

The ministries stressed that these statements directly contradict the vision put forward by US President Donald Trump, as well as the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which are based on containing escalation and creating a political horizon for a comprehensive settlement that ensures the Palestinian people have their own independent state.

They underscored that the plan is grounded in promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and that remarks seeking to legitimize control over the lands of others undermine these objectives, fuel tensions, and constitute incitement rather than advancing peace.

The ministries reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty whatsoever over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab lands. They reiterated their firm rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, their strong opposition to the expansion of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and their categorical rejection of any threat to the sovereignty of Arab states.

They further warned that the continuation of Israel’s expansionist policies and unlawful measures will only inflame violence and conflict in the region and undermine the prospects for peace and called for an end to these incendiary statements, according to SPA.

The ministries underscored their countries’ steadfast commitment to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent state along the lines of 4 June 1967, and the end of the occupation of all Arab lands.



12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
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12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on Saturday that an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured 309 others of various nationalities, while the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reported a projectile landing near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The Coalition said in a statement that operations at Riyadh airport had been temporarily suspended pending a damage assessment and safety checks in coordination with the relevant authorities.

It said the 12 people killed included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi residents, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, said a projectile had landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He also said a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia had been intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj province, while a drone had been destroyed in the Eastern Province.

Malki said the attack on a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh amounted to a fully-fledged war crime under international humanitarian law, adding that the coalition's joint command would respond to the attack.


UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned Saturday's deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport as a "dangerous escalation" and "contemptible".

"What we've seen overnight is a dangerous escalation and I'm afraid an increasing pattern of behavior from the Houthis that's targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia," he told Sky News.

"This is completely contemptible action and it's one of the reasons why the UK is providing support to Saudi Arabia in the form of air defenses, but also air-to-air refueling," he said.

"We want to see an end to this conflict. It cannot be right that the Houthis are attacking civilian targets in this way," he added.


Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A large crowd attended funeral prayers for Captain Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Guraigri Mosque in Jeddah on Saturday afternoon before his body was laid to rest at Al-Salhiyah Cemetery in the northeastern part of the city.

Relatives, friends, colleagues from Saudia Airlines, aviation sector workers and members of the public attended the funeral.

Mourners began arriving early to offer condolences to the family of Alkalthami, who was killed in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, with colleagues paying tribute in person and on social media, remembering his good character, warm smile and strong professional relationships throughout his career.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Salmeen Bahashwan, who worked with Alkalthami for more than 22 years at Saudia Airlines, remembered him as a kind, cheerful and compassionate colleague whose sincere smile and exemplary character left a lasting impression. He praised Alkalthami’s devotion to his wife and two daughters, his loyalty to colleagues and his willingness to support others, saying his many admirable qualities were difficult to capture in words.

Saudia mourned Captain Alkalthami, honoring his service and expressing condolences to his family and colleagues.

The airline also confirmed that an aircraft was damaged while parked on the airport tarmac, with no passengers on board. It said emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist those affected and provide support to their families.