JERUSALEM: Israel’s parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation aimed at making it more difficult for the government to hand the Palestinians parts of Jerusalem under any future peace deal.
The bill, approved by a 64 to 51 vote, is the latest blow to remaining hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s office said US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the new Israeli law amounted to a “declaration of war.”
Formulated by Shuli Moalem-Refaeli of the far-right Jewish Home party, the new law comes weeks after Trump’s decision on Jerusalem sparked deadly protests in the Palestinian territories.
It also follows a vote earlier this week by the central committee of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party in favor of extending Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Likud vote was non-binding, but was a further expression of the hopes of many right-wing Israelis who oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.
The law approved on Tuesday determines that any ceding of lands considered by Israel to be part of Jerusalem would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in parliament — 80 out of 120 members of the Knesset.
It also enables changing the municipal definition of Jerusalem, which means that sectors of the city “could be declared separate entities,” a statement from parliament read.
Israeli right-wing politicians have spoken of unilaterally breaking off overwhelmingly Palestinian areas of the city in a bid to increase its Jewish majority.
However, the new law is not necessarily definitive. It can be changed by a regular parliamentary majority of 61.
Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognized by the international community.
It claims all of Jerusalem as its united capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.
The issue is among the most contentious in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“We’ve ensured the unity of Jerusalem,” Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who heads Jewish Home, said after the vote.
“The Mount of Olives, the Old City... will forever remain ours,” he wrote on Twitter.
Abbas’s office said Trump’s recognition and the Israeli law amounted to a “declaration of war on the Palestinian people and its political and religious identity.”
The statement called the moves a “dangerous project for the future of the region and the world.”
Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said the Israelis were moving ahead with such measures because the United States had stayed silent and signalled approval with Trump’s Jerusalem declaration.
Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, said Abbas should declare the end of the Oslo peace accords of the 1990s and withdraw the PLO’s recognition of Israel.
Trump’s December 6 decision upended decades of precedent and broke with international consensus, but maintains that Jerusalem’s final status would have to be decided in negotiations between the two sides.
It has led to deep anger among Palestinians, with Abbas saying the United States can no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.
On Monday, Abbas said the White House “has refused to condemn Israeli colonial settlements as well as the systematic attacks and crimes of the Israeli occupation against the people of Palestine.”
Speaking of the Likud vote, he said “we hope that this vote serves as a reminder for the international community that the Israeli government, with the full support of the US administration, is not interested in a just and lasting peace.”
Israel law tightens hold on occupied Jerusalem sectors
Israel law tightens hold on occupied Jerusalem sectors
OIC discusses draft humanitarian funds statute
- It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute
- Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds
JEDDAH: The general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a meeting of the open-ended Group of Governmental Experts in Jeddah on Thursday.
It discussed the draft humanitarian funds statute, in accordance with the Council of Foreign Ministers.
OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha said that the meeting was held amid difficult and harsh humanitarian circumstances that required concerted efforts and collective action to adopt actions to help contain humanitarian crises and hardships.
In his speech, Taha added that it was important to make every effort to finalize the statute of these funds, undertake the necessary reforms to their working mechanism and support them with the financial resources to enable them to fulfil their role.
The statement delivered by assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, cultural and social affairs, ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, on behalf of OIC’s secretary-general, highlighted the significant challenges faced by member states in the humanitarian field.
GWM celebrates 27 years in Middle East with key milestones
To celebrate its 27-year presence in the Middle East, GWM organized three major events in Saudi Arabia: GWM DAY at the Jeddah International Motor Show, GWM Partner Day for the Regional Dealer Conference, and GWM Family Day for the opening of its flagship store in Riyadh.
The events highlighted GWM's strategic position in the region and its commitment to technological innovation, cooperation, and brand development.
GWM has been working with users and partners in the Middle East to build a promising future through diverse strategies and strong products.
On Oct. 29, GWM made a stunning appearance at the Jeddah International Motor Show.
In front of media, dealer partners, and over 200 guests, GWM's International President, Parker, launched the Home Care plan, highlighting GWM's commitment to treating the Middle East as home and prioritizing care and service for local users.
The flagship models — the GWM Tank 700 and the all new HAVAL H9 — gained attention, underscoring GWM's leadership in the off-road market.
Also, GWM set up an outdoor area for rugged off-roading and family outings, drawing many eager spectators and families.
At the Jeddah motor show, GWM held the Middle East and Africa regional Dealer Conference, attracting over 80 partners from the region.
Dealers engaged in in-depth discussions with GWM management about the brand's future development strategy and the importance of parts support and service operations in enhancing market share and brand reputation.
The following day, dealer representatives visited a 11,000-square-meter warehouse in southern Jeddah to learn more about the parts policies.
The warehouse ensures quick repairs and efficient after-sales service while serving as a key pillar of GWM's localized operations, reflecting its strong commitment to users.
Meanwhile, on Oct. 31, 2024, GWM held a grand opening ceremony for its flagship store in Riyadh, covering 6,000 square meters.
This store is GWM's largest in the Middle East and serves as a platform for deep interaction between the brand and its users.
GWM hosted the GWM Family Day at the flagship store, uniting users and guests to share their experiences with the brand.
Influencers from automotive, photography, and outdoor fields shared their journeys with GWM vehicles.
They also engaged users in an interactive quiz about the brand, strengthening the emotional connection with customers.
This event enhanced brand recognition and a sense of belonging, creating unforgettable experiences for users and fans.
Under the slogan "Go with Middle East, Go with More," GWM is building a stronger brand ecosystem.
The Jeddah motor show showcased GWM's robust products, the Dealer Conference advanced regional cooperation, and the opening of the Riyadh flagship store elevated the co-creation experience with users.
GWM looks forward to exploring new possibilities with Middle Eastern customers and sharing exciting journeys together.
Saudi Arabia launches company to transform Asir into global tourism hub
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has launched a new tourism venture through a partnership with the aim of creating a holding company to transform the area into a global tourist destination.
The collaboration between Aseer Investment Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and Rikaz Real Estate, aligns with the goal of transforming Asir into a world-class tourist destination that combines authentic heritage with sustainable development, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The holding company seeks to contribute to enhancing a tourism environment that enriches guests’ experiences with unique offerings, connecting visitors to local culture and community traditions, SPA reported.
It is also committed to promoting sustainable tourism by protecting the environment, developing local communities, and collaborating with artisans and local businesses to preserve the authenticity of Asir’s heritage.
In October, the Kingdom’s Abha city secured a new investment partnership to boost tourism by developing culturally rich dining and retail experiences.
PIF firm Aseer Investment Co. signed the deal with Nimr Real Estate and the National Co. for Tourism, or Syahya, to propel the project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This aligns with the objectives of developing Abha, which will offer a range of benefits, including retail stores that reflect the cultural heritage of the Asir region.
The partnership also seeks to be a model for multiple collaborations with private sector investors and create more regional job opportunities.
Investments in the region are expected to create between 14,000 and 18,000 job prospects and contribute to up to 6 percent of the non-oil gross domestic product within 10 years, as outlined by AIC Chief Executive Osama Al-Othman in February.
Saudi Arabia emerged as a leader in tourism growth among G20 nations, experiencing a 73 percent increase in international visitors in the first seven months of 2024 compared to 2019.
According to the UN World Tourism Barometer report in September, the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists during this timeframe, showcasing its growing allure as a global travel destination.
This surge is part of the nation’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
“Saudi Arabia cements its global leadership and takes the first spot among G20 countries in international tourist arrivals growth, with a 73 percent increase in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019,” stated the Saudi Tourism Ministry on X.
Under the National Tourism Strategy, the Kingdom aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent.
These goals reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening its tourism sector and enhancing its global appeal.
KSrelief distributes shelter supplies in Afghanistan
- KSrelief will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies
KABUL: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched a shelter project for people returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan and victims of the 2024 floods.
It will distribute 4,882 shelter items, such as tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other supplies across the provinces of Kabul, Ghazni, Bamyan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Herat, Nimroz, Nangarhar and Laghman. The project will help 29,292 people.
The scheme is part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief efforts, through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people.
UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
- “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
- The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal
NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.
