Saudi Arabia welcomes move by Norway, Ireland and Spain to formally recognize Palestinian state

A demonstrators holds a sign in support of Palestine, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, during a ‘Stand Together’ solidarity march against war, hate and racism, in Dublin, Ireland. (Reuters/File)
Short Url
Updated 23 May 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia welcomes move by Norway, Ireland and Spain to formally recognize Palestinian state

  • Palestinian Authority and its rival group Hamas both welcomed the recognition
  • Israel recalls envoys to Spain, Ireland and Norway for consultations

RIYADH/COPENHAGEN: Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it welcomed the “positive” decision taken by Norway, Spain, and Ireland to recognize a Palestinian state. 
The Kingdom said it appreciated this decision “which confirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” in a foreign ministry statement. 

The kingdom also called on more countries to swiftly take the same stance, “which would contribute to finding a reliable and irreversible path to achieve a just and lasting peace that fulfills the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Leaders of Norway, Spain and Ireland said on Wednesday they were formally going to recognize Palestine as a state.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said: “There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also announced that the country’s council of ministers would recognize an independent Palestinian state on Tuesday May 28.

“Next Tuesday, May 28, Spain’s cabinet will approve the recognition of the Palestinian state,” he said, adding that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was putting the two state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in the Gaza Strip.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was a move coordinated with Spain and Norway, marking “an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.”

The Palestinian Authority and its rival group Hamas both welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, Spain and Norway.

The Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank territory while Hamas runs Gaza.

Jordan hailed the coordinated move as an “important and essential step towards Palestinian statehood.”

“We value this decision and consider it an important and essential step towards a two-state solution that embodies an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the July 1967 borders,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told a press conference.

Qatar’s foreign ministry welcomed the announcement as an “important step in support of a two-state solution,” expressing hope that other countries would follow suit.

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council also spoke out in support of the European countries’ move, with secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi saying it represented “a pivotal and strategic step towards achieving the two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a statement said.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, similarly welcomed the move as an “important historic step”.

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

Israel recalled envoys to Spain, Ireland and Norway over their moves to recognize a Palestinian state.

“Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence. I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

Sanchez said in March that Spain and Ireland, along with Slovenia and Malta, had agreed to take their first steps toward Palestinian recognition, seeing a two-state solution as essential for lasting peace.

The efforts come as a mounting death toll in Gaza from Israel’s offensive to rout Hamas prompts calls globally for a ceasefire and lasting solution for peace in the region.

Norway, which is not a member of the European Union but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,” the Norwegian government leader said.

“Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state,” Gahr Store told a press conference.

The move comes as Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

The Scandinavian country “will therefore regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails,” Gahr Store said.

Norway’s recognition of a Palestine state comes more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993.

Since then, “the Palestinians have taken important steps toward a two-state solution,” the Norwegian government said.

It said that the World Bank determined that Palestine had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

“The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades,” the Norwegian government said.


MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

MWL will host second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in March
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

  • Makkah conference will feature senior figures from various sects, denominations
  • Guide to common Islamic principles to be launched during forum

RIYADH: The Muslim World League will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations.

It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity.

The forum also aims to overcome sectarian disputes that have historically led to division and conflict, and promote fraternity and cohesion through practical initiatives.

This year’s conference marks a critical step in transforming the principles outlined in the inaugural conference into actionable programs, SPA said.

Discussions will address issues such as enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.

A highlight of the conference will be the launch of the encyclopedia of Islamic intellectual convergence, prepared by the Center for Safeguarding Intellect.

The encyclopedia, developed with contributions from 60 Islamic scholars and thinkers, aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to common Islamic principles.


Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

  • Russia, US agree to start working toward ending conflict in Ukraine

RIYADH: Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed Saudi efforts to host talks in Riyadh between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict.

Russia and the US agreed to start working toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after the talks.

The UAE expressed “hope that the talks will serve as a significant step towards bridging differences, fostering communication and advancing dialogue to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict,” the Emirates News Agency reported.

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the talks “which reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts, and achieving global stability and prosperity.”

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Saudi efforts to lead the talks that “will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has gone on for a very long time.”

Al-Ansari added: “We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical (and) economic impact globally.”

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the talks and expressed the hope that they would “lead to achieving their desired goals in enhancing security and stability in the world.”

Sufyan Qudah, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commended Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the talks and said they highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster comprehensive and just peace worldwide.

The Palestinian presidency said the talks were a culmination of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, adding that it was “a policy that fosters regional and international stability and affirms Riyadh’s commitment to its effective role in achieving peace and security.”


Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

  • Event strengthens bonds of friendship, cooperation between Kingdom and Japan, says consul-general

JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8.

Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

‘Futatasumakura,’ 1981 by Hinao Sugiura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling.

Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai’s work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras.

HIGHLIGHT

The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry.

‘Portrait of Hokuai,’ 2015, by Sawa Sakura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string.

The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to “transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,” highlighting the collection’s educational purpose.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today’s “How to Draw Manga” guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan’s greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

“Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,” Yamamoto said. “His print designs invited audiences to witness nature’s transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.”

According to an official statement, Hokusai’s work captured Japan’s diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy.

(This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

Reflecting on the exhibition’s significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: “Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.”

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. (AN photos/Supplied)

Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga’s evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques.

Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai’s most popular collection of printed drawings was named “manga.” While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate “manga” with cartoons or humorous images.

When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai’s manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny.

In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai’s manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection’s lasting appeal.

Today’s Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.

 


Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims

Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims

  • The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app, the official guide for pilgrims visiting the holy sites, has introduced new services to enhance the visitor experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The updates include features that allow users to explore unique historical destinations, a tasbih service, a Hisnul Muslim guide for daily prayers and supplications, and Haramain Qur’anic recitations.

Additionally, the app offers awareness cards, interactive maps, an event calendar, and a comprehensive digital guide with multilingual instructions.

It also provides health information and services. Moreover, service providers can showcase their offerings electronically to Umrah pilgrims and visitors, according to the SPA.

The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience.

Integrated with 25 government bodies and 10 business sector entities, the app aligns with the Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts to enhance technology use.

 


Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

  • King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
  • The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.

In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness. 

King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.

The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.

He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace.