Palestinians in Saudi Arabia reflect on home as 51st Naksa is marked

Palestinian girls play in August 1967 at a refugee camp in Jordan. The problem of Arab refugees increased sharply after Israeli aggression during the Six-Day War. (File Photo: AFP)
Updated 09 June 2018
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Palestinians in Saudi Arabia reflect on home as 51st Naksa is marked

  • Saudi Arabia hosts the largest Palestinian community in the Gulf region
  • Some Palestinians hold Jordanian passports, either permanent or temporary - most of them return to Jordan from time to time, and follow the Jordanian consulates in their official transactions

JEDDAH: This June marks the 51st anniversary for Palestinian Naksa, the “setback” in Arabic. It commemorates the displacement and occupation of Arab territories that accompanied Israel’s forces’ victory in the six days war of June 1967 against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. It ended with Israel putting up its flag over East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, Egypt’s the Sinai Peninsula and Syria’s Golan Heights.

Naksa follows Nakba, commemorating the exodus of Palestinians in 1948. The 70th anniversary of this day was marked last month.
A new wave of Palestinians poured over the Jordan River to swell UN-run camps, some already inhabited by those who were forced out in 1948. Approximately 400,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were displaced 51 years ago this month.
Many of Gaza’s residents became refugees for the second time having been uprooted nearly 20 years previously, fleeing to Gaza after Zionist militia forces attacked Palestine villages in 1948.
While there are no official statistics on the numbers of Palestinians in the Gulf countries, due to the variety of different official documents they hold, it is estimated that the Palestinian population of Gulf countries is second only to that of Jordan.
Palestinians arrived in the Gulf in waves during different periods of history. While some were there before Nakba, numbers increased as the Palestinian diaspora expanded as the occupation stretched on.
Palestinians in the Gulf are not considered as refugees because Gulf states recognize their legal and travel documents from different countries, viewing them as the same as any other non-nationals.

Decoder

What is Naksa?

Naksa: The 1967 war is also known as the setback, referring to the war between Israel and Egypt, Syria and Jordan between June 5 and 10, 1967, culminating in Israel’s victory and its occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the Golan Heights. It is the third war of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Different types of displaced Palestinians live in the Gulf countries: Palestinians who have migrated from the Gaza Strip or the Palestinian coast through Egypt, many with Egyptian travel documents. Some Palestinians hold Jordanian passports, either permanent or temporary. Most of them return to Jordan from time to time, and follow the Jordanian consulates in their official transactions.
Some hold Syrian and Lebanese documents. Holders of the Syrian documents tended to regularly visit Syria before the ongoing war, while holders of the Lebanese documents have a much weaker relationship with Lebanon due to the tightened laws upon them as Palestinian refugees. However, they are an important source of income for their families in Lebanon.
Others hold European, Canadian and US passports, but came to the Gulf to raise their children in a more conservative environment than that of the West.
According to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Palestinian refugees are defined as “persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period June 1, 1946 to May 15, 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.”
UNRWA services are available to all those living in its area of operations who need assistance who meet this definition and are registered with the agency, including the descendants of Palestine male refugees, and their adopted children. However, UNRWA areas of operation do not include any Gulf states, which has its both pros and cons.
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest Palestinian community in the Gulf region. Gulf states used to recruit teachers, engineers, doctors and workers from other Arab countries, many of them Palestinians.
They worked in education, health, and the oilfields. By the mid-1960s, with the opening of the Gulf markets and the expansion of oil-production capacity in the Gulf region, more came to Saudi Arabia to work.
Palestinians have contributed to the development of the education system in the Gulf region, and a number of well-known Palestinian authors worked as teachers in Saudi Arabia, producing literary works influenced by the environment they experienced in Saudi Arabia. One such is the recent Booker winner Ibrahim Nasrallah, an internationally known Palestinian poet, novelist, and professor.
Others include the former Palestinian Minister of Culture, the former Chairman of the Palestinian National Committee of Education, Culture and Science Yahya Yakhlef, and novelist Jamal Junaid.
Fadhel Humaid, a Palestinian accountant who was born in Gaza in 1945, told Arab News how he came to spend more than 45 years of his life in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.




Refugees cross into Israeli-occupied Jordan territory, west of the Jordan River, in June 1967.  Getty Images

Humaid said: “I was in Palestine during the time that Palestinians came from various parts of the country as refugees to camps such as Jabalia and Alshate’e in Gaza.” The camps received tents, food, and water from UNRWA.
“I finished my schooling in Gaza, then I went to Egypt in 1964 to study for my bachelor’s degree in accounting, as Egypt used to provide free education for Palestinians.
“During my third year at university, the 1967 war began and Israel took over Gaza and Sinai. It was miserable: We were isolated and unable to contact our families in Gaza for months. Our education was stopped.”
Four months later, students were eventually able to send radio messages to their families to reassure them that they were alive and well.
It was then that Humaid’s connection with Jeddah began. One of his brothers, who was in Jeddah, sent him a visa to the Kingdom. After that he visited Jeddah again in 1968.
“Since then I have been living in Jeddah. My last visit to Gaza was in 1973 to see my family,” he added,” I will never lose the hope of getting my homeland back.”
Abdullah Abul Loz, 28, a Palestinian who was raised in Riyadh, told Arab News: “I know my family left the occupied land and settled in Jordan’s refugee camps.
“They were originally from Bi’r Al-Sabi’ (Beersheba). In 1948, when the Israeli forces occupied the whole area, they were evacuated from their homes, and settled in Khan Younis refugee camps in the Gaza strip.
“During the Naksa in 1967, most of the family left Palestine for Jordan, and settled in the Talbieh refugee camp. Some later went to the West, others went to Gulf countries — my grandfather among them.”
His grandfather worked as a teacher in Ar Rass town in Al-Qassim province. His uncles also came to the Kingdom then.
“My grandmother has been in the Jordanian camp since 1967, and my aunts too. She told me when they went to Jordan, they got a house from UNRWA, basically a temporary area for refugees to live in.”
Talbieh camp is one of six “emergency” camps set up in 1968, 35km south of Amman, for Palestine refugees and displaced persons who left the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
Abdullah said he is pessimistic about the future, which he sees as “a total darkness, the only glowing element in that darkness is the occupation resistance movements.”
Loz holds a temporary Jordanian passport, specially issued for Palestinians from Gaza.
Ali Nassar, 24, a Palestinian born and raised in Jeddah city, told Arab News: “My mother came to Saudi Arabia as a teacher, she joined her two brothers here who came before her and worked in a bank.
“My father joined her later and they were married here. We have been here since 1988. Most of my relatives are still in Gaza, although a few of them went to Europe.
“My father’s grandfather and his family were forced to leave his town (Salama) in Ramle subdistrict of Jaffa in 1948 to go to Gaza. They stayed in what was later known as Maghazi refugee camp there.
“My mother’s grandfather was also forced to leave his town, Zarnuqa in 1948, for the Gaza Strip. Both my parents were born and raised in Maghazi refugee camp. But my grandparents’ houses are still there in Jaffa.”
Nassar added: “I keep up-to-date by following activists in Palestine, and news agencies on social media. Sometimes I avoid following any news because it is too much for the heart to take. But my connection with the Palestinian cause is very good.
“I stay in touch by also reading about the historical and intellectual origins of the issue, and Palestinian resistance and the crimes were committed against us.”
Nassar added: “The political solutions are failing, there is public disbelief in the peace process, especially with the recent move of the US embassy to Jerusalem. Young Palestinians began to lose their confidence in politicians; that is why individual actions have been taking place in recent years.
“The future is vague, but we can see that occupation resistance is growing. We used to see protests in Gaza and Rafah, now the intifada (popular uprising) has arrived in areas such as the West Bank, and Jerusalem.”
According to Nassar, the uprising and other forms of resistance will mean Israel will lose out in the long term, as it will affect the proportion of migrants to Israel.


Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push

Updated 08 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push

  • Leaders discuss ties and regional stability
  • Prince Mohammed urges dialogue and diplomacy as means of resolving disputes

JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Their meeting came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and navigate a turbulent regional landscape.

 

 

During the meeting, Prince Mohammed and Araghchi reviewed the state of Saudi-Iranian relations and exchanged views on recent developments across the region.

The crown prince underscored the Kingdom’s hope that the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel would help lay the groundwork for enhanced regional security and stability.

Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support for diplomatic solutions, the crown prince stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes and reducing tensions.

For his part, Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression, and praised Prince Mohammed’s personal commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart in Makkah, where the two officials also discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to foster regional cooperation.

Their talks focused on the evolving situation in the region and mutual efforts to safeguard security and stability.


Cabinet commends HRC adoption of resolution to protect children in cyberspace

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet held a session on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Cabinet commends HRC adoption of resolution to protect children in cyberspace

  • Crown prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with Indonesian president and phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

RIYADH: The Cabinet commended on Tuesday the Human Rights Council’s unanimous adoption of a resolution submitted by the Kingdom to protect children in cyberspace.

The resolution, submitted by Saudi Arabia, aims to protect children in cyberspace and is rooted in the global initiative “Child Protection in Cyberspace” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2024.

The Cabinet said that Saudi Arabia maintaining its position as the top-ranked country in global cybersecurity according to this year’s edition of the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook adds to a series of achievements made by this sector in record time.

Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet member Issam bin Saad bin Saeed said the Kingdom’s first-place ranking globally in the ICT Development Index 2025 issued by the International Telecommunication Union is a confirmation of the strength of the its digital infrastructure.

It was also testament to the attractiveness of its investment environment and the development of the local digital economy, which has reached SR 495 billion ($132 billion) in size, he added.

The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s efforts and contributions at the international level to support multilateral action and enhance global economic growth rates, including continued cooperation with OPEC+ producers to maintain stability in oil markets.

The crown prince also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his discussions with the President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and a phone call he received from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

 


Reimagining the road ahead in Saudi Arabia

As Saudi Arabia rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central. (Supplied/SPA)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Reimagining the road ahead in Saudi Arabia

  • A Saudi-developed navigation platform signals a deeper shift in how smart cities are designed

JEDDAH: As cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah grow at an unprecedented pace, they face mounting pressures that come with rapid urban expansion: increased traffic, infrastructure demands, and changing mobility patterns.

These challenges have sparked new conversations — and innovations — to support evolving everyday life.

Among the latest digital tools to emerge is Balady+, a Saudi Arabia-developed navigation app that is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play according to the app’s listing.

As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive. (Supplied)

Launched in May, the app offers a locally tailored alternative to global platforms such as Google Maps and Waze to address navigation needs across Saudi cities.

Developed by Balady, a subsidiary of NHC Innovation, the app’s features include real-time traffic updates, indoor navigation in malls and multistory buildings, and alerts for roadworks and speed bumps with accurate spatial and timing information.

FASTFACT

Balady+, a Saudi-developed navigation app, is gaining traction with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play.

A notable moment for the platform came during this year’s Hajj season, when Balady+ collaborated with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to support pilgrims with an interactive mapping system.

Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of Balady+

Over 11,000 key landmarks — including mosque entrances and exits, surrounding streets, hospitals, Red Crescent stations, restrooms, fountains, and more than 160 critical facilities — were updated in real time to ease the flow of people through dense and high-pressure areas.

“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months.

“What makes this app more useful for me is how it reflects the real condition of roads, especially when it comes to closures or construction zones.”

“Navigation apps aren’t just tools anymore; they’re daily essentials,” said Abdulrahman Al-Babtain, a Riyadh-based commuter who has been using Balady+ for the past two months. (SPA)

Built with an artificial intelligence-powered search engine, the app has generated a mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful critique from users on app stores.

Many have praised its realistic 3D mapping, with comments including “extraordinary” and “custom made” to better visualize surroundings.

Some reviews highlight standout features such as the “snap and send” municipal reporting tool, with one user noting that a damaged road was fixed within 12 hours of being reported.

Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters

While one review described the app as a “decent alternative to Google Maps,” others note a learning curve for new users and hope for future updates that make the interface more user-friendly and inclusive.

According to Al-Babtain, speed-bump alerts and government data integrations are particularly helpful in avoiding unexpected delays during his daily commute.

“The GPS is smart, but what really matters is having the most current local info — and that’s where Balady+ wins,” he said.

If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life.

Adel Alzahrani, ROSHN executive director of community development charters

For Adel Alzahrani, executive director of community development charters at ROSHN, the app is part of a larger conversation about urban design and mobility.

“We’re not just developing real estate — we’re influencing how people move, live, and interact. Mobility behavior starts with design. I often say the cities of the future won’t be shaped by concrete alone — they’ll be sculpted by intelligence, data, and empathy,” he said.

While international apps dominate global markets, Alzahrani — who has used them all — sees Balady+ as an attempt to address local needs through an initiative that is “culturally aware, government-backed, and citizen-focused.”

“If we design cities for cars, we get traffic. If we design cities for people, we get life,” he said.

As Saudi cities are increasingly digitized, apps such as Balady+ represent a broader shift in how people interact with their surroundings, not just as commuters but also data contributors and active participants in shaping smart urban systems.

Yasser Alobaidan, CEO of the app, told Arab News it was built on a combination of local and global technologies.

It was “created through 3D modelling programs for areas like Hajj camps, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and key landmarks across cities — and global technologies that convert residential and commercial buildings into 3D visualizations.”

“Work is currently underway to render the main roads across Saudi cities in 3D to provide drivers with a more realistic navigation experience,” he added.

Available on Android, iOS, and Huawei Store, it supports both Arabic and English, and features a voice assistant that guides users in both languages.

Alobaidan explained the technical challenges of rendering 3D environments, such the Grand Mosque and Hajj camps, on users’ mobile devices.

“Managing and optimizing the processing power and battery usage on users’ mobile devices when rendering 3D models was not easy.”

As the country continues its digital transformation, mobility solutions such as Balady+ are becoming a part of the conversation on how to make urban environments more efficient, accessible and responsive.

“Saudi Arabia stands at a unique moment. We have the chance to leapfrog the mistakes of car-first urbanism and become a global model of people-centered innovation — where design, policy, and technology converge to create cities that breathe, move, and serve with grace,” Alzahrani explained.

“It’s not just a digital tool, it’s a statement of intent. It tells us that Saudi Arabia isn’t just building smart cities — we’re designing smarter ways to live in them.”

Looking ahead, he said: “I’d love to see Balady+ connect with multimodal platforms, so users can seamlessly move between metro, bus, walking, or even autonomous shuttles.

“I’d also advocate for opening up APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), so urban developers and municipal agencies can build on top of the platform, creating custom layers for districts or temporary events.”

As the Kingdom rethinks how cities function, the role of local digital infrastructure is becoming more central.

Balady+ may not be the only tool in that transition, but it points to a growing appetite for locally developed, tech-driven solutions to urban challenges.

“It’s not following global models. It’s redefining them through a uniquely Saudi lens. And I think that’s something worth celebrating,” Alzahrani said.

 


Jazan’s stone castles draw travelers into the past

For generations, Jazan’s castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA)
Updated 08 July 2025
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Jazan’s stone castles draw travelers into the past

  • Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities

RIYADH: The stone castles and ancient homes scattered across Jazan stand as silent witnesses to a rich history and architectural legacy spanning generations.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the structures play a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and form an integral part of Jazan’s tourism and cultural heritage.

For generations, Jazan’s castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA)

The designs of these castles and stone houses vary widely and visitors are invited to gain insight into the traditional building methods and local materials used.

Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities.

For generations, Jazan’s castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. (SPA)

Far from being mere dwellings, these castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. They hosted countless family gatherings, celebrations and social events, highlighting the strong cohesion of the local community.

They remain emblematic of regional identity. Today, the castles and stone houses of Jazan draw history buffs and eco-tourists alike, offering a glimpse of the Kingdom’s cultural tapestry and efforts to preserve Jazan’s legacy.

 


HRC adopts Saudi-submitted resolution to protect children in cyberspace

A general view of a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. (File/AFP)
Updated 08 July 2025
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HRC adopts Saudi-submitted resolution to protect children in cyberspace

  • Resolution mirrors the key pillars of the crown prince’s initiative, calling for enhanced global cooperation, the exchange of best practices and raising awareness

RIYADH: The Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting children in cyberspace, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The resolution is rooted in the global initiative “Child Protection in Cyberspace” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2024.

Presented during the council’s 59th session, the draft resolution was introduced by the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Kuwait, Algeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam, received unanimous approval, reflecting broad international support.

In his address to the council, the official highlighted the dual nature of the digital space in children’s lives, noting that while it offers valuable opportunities for learning and interaction, it also presents growing risks that demand coordinated international responses.

He emphasized the need for strengthened national frameworks and international cooperation to ensure safety for children online.

The resolution mirrors the key pillars of the crown prince’s initiative, calling for enhanced global cooperation, the exchange of best practices, raising awareness, and the development of skills necessary to foster a safe and empowering digital environment for children.

It further underscores the importance of providing tailored technical assistance to meet each country’s specific needs and priorities, thereby building sustainable national capabilities in digital child protection.

With its unanimous adoption, the resolution underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing leadership in international efforts to create a secure, inclusive cyberspace for children worldwide, SPA said.

It also affirms Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in shaping global policy on child protection and cybersecurity.