Month: June 2024

Jeddah: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to President Andry Rajoelina of the Republic of Madagascar, on the anniversary of his country's independence day. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Madagascar steady progress and prosperity. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Hebron - Ma'an - Before noon on Wednesday, the Israeli occupation forces demolished 11 houses, dwellings, tents, bathrooms, and the electricity room, destroyed a large number of solar cells that generate electricity, and water tanks, demolished walls, bulldozed lands, and uprooted trees, leaving more than 50 citizens dead. The majority of them are homeless children, and they are from the Al-Hathalin family in the Umm Al-Khair area in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron. Thus, the occupation authorities have demolished a third of the residences in the Umm Al-Khair community, where the number of dwellings in it is about 30 houses and residences. Local sources explained that the demolition included the tent of the martyr Suleiman Al-Hathalin, which was built more than 50 years ago, and is adjacent to the fence of the 'Carmel' settlement. The occupation bulldozers also demolished a house and four residences and their belongings belonging to the citizen Eid Al-Hathalin, with an area of ????more than 300 square meters , two houses and five residences. Citizen Yasser Al-Hathlin owned an area of ????more than 400 square meters, in addition to a number of facilities, including a room designated for the electricity network feeding the community, which led to a power outage in citizens' homes. During the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the area, they demolished two tents belonging to citizen Ibrahim Fansha in the "Khallet Amara" area east of Yatta. The sources added that the tent of the martyr Suleiman Al-Hathalin was a symbol and center of resilience for the people of Umm Al-Khair and the surrounding areas. Source: Maan News Agency

Riyadh: A statement issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) regarding the allegation that the Coalition Forces targeted (Baqem Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate on (12/07/2015). With regard to what JIAT observed in the open sources of the report issued on (March 2020) by Physicians for Human Rights, which includes that on (12/07/2015) Coalition Forces aircraft targeted (Baqem Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, severely damaging the facility and its equipment. JIAT vetted the incident, and reviewed all documents, including air tasking orders, daily mission schedule, mission execution procedures, after mission reports, satellite images, open sources, the website of the National Information Center in Yemen which contains the health centers and hospitals in Yemen, Coalition Forces No strike list (NSL), Coalition Forces rules of engagement, provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law and its customary rules, and after asse ssment of evidences, JIAT found that (Baqem Rural Hospital) is located in the north eastern part of (Baqem) city in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, and is in the Coalition Forces No Strike List (NSL). JIAT specialists studied the satellite images of the claimed location (Baqem Rural Hospital) after the claimed date, and found the following: 1. (Baqem Rural Hospital) of the claim consist of a main building, and its annexes, surrounded by a fence. 2. No signs of damage caused by aerial targeting on the main building or its annexes. By studying the air missions carried out by the Coalition Forces on (12/07/2015), which is the date of the claim, JIAT found that the Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. By studying the daily mission schedule carried out by the Coalition Forces one day prior and one day after the claimed date, JIAT found the following: 1. On (11/07/2015) the day prior to the claimed date, Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. On (13/07/2015) the day after the claimed date, Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. In light of that; JIAT found that Coalition Forces did not target (Baqim Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, on (12/07/2015), as claimed. A statement Issued by Joint Incidents Assessment Team Regarding Allegation that Coalition Forces Targeted Baqem Rural Hospital in Baqem Directorate, Saada 12/07/2015 Riyadh, A statement issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) regarding the allegation that the Coalition Forces targeted (Baqem Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate on (12/07/2015). With regard to what JIAT observed in the open sources of the report issued on (March 2020) by Physicians for Human Rights, which includes that on (12/07/2015) Coalition Forces aircraft targeted (Baqem Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, severely damaging the facility and its equipment. JIAT vetted t he incident, and reviewed all documents, including air tasking orders, daily mission schedule, mission execution procedures, after mission reports, satellite images, open sources, the website of the National Information Center in Yemen which contains the health centers and hospitals in Yemen, Coalition Forces No strike list (NSL), Coalition Forces rules of engagement, provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law and its customary rules, and after assessment of evidences, JIAT found that (Baqem Rural Hospital) is located in the north eastern part of (Baqem) city in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, and is in the Coalition Forces No Strike List (NSL). JIAT specialists studied the satellite images of the claimed location (Baqem Rural Hospital) after the claimed date, and found the following: 1. (Baqem Rural Hospital) of the claim consist of a main building, and its annexes, surrounded by a fence. 2. No signs of damage caused by aerial targeting on the main building or its annex es. By studying the air missions carried out by the Coalition Forces on (12/07/2015), which is the date of the claim, JIAT found that the Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. By studying the daily mission schedule carried out by the Coalition Forces one day prior and one day after the claimed date, JIAT found the following: 1. On (11/07/2015) the day prior to the claimed date, Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. On (13/07/2015) the day after the claimed date, Coalition Forces did not carry out any air missions on (Baqem) city. In light of that; JIAT found that Coalition Forces did not target (Baqim Rural Hospital) in (Baqem) directorate of (Saada) governorate, on (12/07/2015), as claimed. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Ramallah - Together - Representatives of civil society organizations, media organizations and community coalitions pointed to the importance of activating their role in protecting the rights of minorities, especially people with disabilities and Bedouins, to citizenship, equality and participation in public life, in implementation and commitment to the constitutional principles, rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law and contained in Articles 9 and 26 thereof through collective action representing a community network concerned with protecting and promoting these rights, and taking all official and civil measures to ensure the fulfillment of these rights on the basis of equality, prohibiting discrimination, and holding violators accountable. This came as a culmination of the meeting in which twenty community activists, including 9 women, participated, organized by the Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Legal Profession and Judiciary (Musawa) in cooperation with the International Civil For um and with the support of the Minority Rights Group MRG this morning at the headquarters of the Stars of Hope Association in Al-Bireh under the title: 'Opportunities and challenges facing the formation of... A network for the protection of minority rights in Palestine. The meeting, which lasted for two hours, also covered a diagnosis of the most prominent demands and urgent basic rights that must be officially fulfilled, including a commitment to faithfully implement the health insurance system that was approved and issued by the previous government and has become part of the legislation in force and must be respected, including the formation of specialized committees with the authority to implement the provisions of the system to As well as the rights of Bedouins to water and pastures, marketing their products, fulfilling the requirements for their enjoyment of the right to health and education, choosing local bodies to represent them, and their right to housing and use of land in a way that contributes to their stability and security. The attendees pointed out the importance of intensifying demands on official bodies to expedite the resolution of the obstacles that still prevent the official fulfillment of these rights and to place their urgent demands on the table of society and the relevant official bodies. The attendees discussed the mechanisms available to develop the capabilities of young activists, enabling them to develop their tools in defending the rights of citizens, including minorities, in addition to ways to provide legal aid to people with disabilities and Bedouins in their places of residence, and to motivate community figures to further activate their role in defending the rights of minorities. and disadvantaged and marginalized groups. The attendees agreed to continue communication and joint work in a sustainable manner. It is noteworthy that the institutions that participated in the meeting included, in addition to Musawah and the Civil Forum, Al-Haq Foundation, Hurriyat Center, Al-Baidar Organization, Shams Center, the Palestinian Disability Coalition, the Red Crescent Society, Mada News Agency, the General Union of People with Disabilities, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Stars of Hope Association, and male and female community activists. Source: Maan News Agency

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion as the Guest of Honor at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024. The fair, held from June 26 to 30 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center south of Seoul, Republic of Korea, marks its 66th edition with a dedicated celebration of Saudi culture. The Kingdom's pavilion showcases its rich cultural heritage through an integrated experience led by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission under the Ministry of Culture. Participating entities include the Heritage Commission, Fashion Commission, Film Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahad National Library, Publishing Association, and Ministry of Investment. Throughout the event, the pavilion features a diverse cultural program including dialogue sessions and seminars covering topics such as Saudi history and heritage, Saudi female writer s, the role of language in transmitting cultural values, traditions, and social customs, similarities between Korean and Arabic languages and cultures, and historical and contemporary interactions between the two cultures. Seminars also explore poetry, the Saudi novel, and the Kingdom's efforts in teaching Arabic to non-speakers in Korea. Collaboration between Korean and Arabic musical arts is discussed in one seminar. On the first day, the Saudi pavilion inaugurates the Mu'allaqat (The Hanging Odes) in Korean, a project by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission. Additionally, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launches an Arabic language project in Korea. The Saudi pavilion features traditional performing arts such as the "Ardah" and exhibits books and artifacts discovered in the Kingdom. The pavilion hosts a Saudi dinner night showcasing national dishes from across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen partn erships and cooperation with Korea and foster dialogue between cultures and civilizations through its participation. The Kingdom's role as Guest of Honor at international book fairs, including the Seoul International Book Fair 2024, underscores its commitment to promoting Saudi culture globally. Previously, Saudi Arabia was Guest of Honor at the New Delhi International Book Fair (NDIBF) 2024 in February and the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) 2024 held from June 19 to 23. The Seoul International Book Fair 2024, organized by the Korean Publishers Association, is one of Asia's and the world's most renowned book fairs. Originating locally in 1954, it expanded into an international exhibition in 1995. This year, the fair hosts approximately 90 publishing institutions and companies from 19 countries alongside 350 Korean publishing houses. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Today, Wednesday, the Israeli occupation forces carried out 17 demolition operations in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and another within the 1948 territories. In the city of Jericho, the occupation demolished four houses east of the city, belonging to: Firas Abu Al-Zeit, Kamal Mahmoud Baraka, and Samer Hasasneh, two of which had an area of ??130 square meters in the 'Airport' area east of Jericho, under the pretext of building without a permit. In the village of Bitello, west of Ramallah, occupation bulldozers demolished the house of citizen Muhammad Wajih Bazar, which consisted of three floors, each of which was about 200 square meters in area. As for Jerusalem, the occupation municipality demolished a house belonging to the Abu Subeih family, in the Wadi Qaddoum neighborhood in the town of Silwan. The occupation demolished the house manually, due to the narrow roads and the inability of the bulldozers to demolish it. In the city of Hebron, the occupation army demolished 11 hous es, residences, and other facilities belonging to the Al-Hathalin family in the 'Umm Al-Khair' community in Masafer Yatta, south of the city. In the city of Kafr Qara, within the 1948 territories, bulldozers and Israeli authorities' vehicles demolished a house under construction, under the pretext of building without a permit. According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, the occupation authorities carried out 47 demolition operations, affecting 66 facilities, including 35 inhabited homes, 5 uninhabited, and 15 agricultural and other facilities, in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, during the month of last May. The Israeli occupation authorities prevent construction or land reclamation in Area C, which constitutes about 60% of the area of ??the West Bank. Source: Maan News Agency