Spanish PM arrives in Jeddah

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday reiterated its categorical rejection of statements regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land, particularly those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it rejected “such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian brothers in Gaza, including the ethnic cleansing they are subjected to.”

The ministry likewise expressed its appreciation of the “condemnation, disapproval and total rejection announced by the brotherly countries” regarding the Israeli leader’s comments.

“The Kingdom also points out that this extremist, occupying mentality does not understand what the Palestinian land means to the brotherly people of Palestine and their emotional, historical and legal connection to this land, and it does not think that the Palestinian people deserve to live in the first place, as it has completely destroyed the Gaza Strip, killed and injured more than 160,000, most of them children and women, without the slightest human feeling or moral responsibility,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said.

“The Kingdom affirms that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes.

#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciates the condemnation, disapproval and total rejection announced by the brotherly countries towards what Benjamin Netanyahu stated regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land and the Kingdom values the… pic.twitter.com/ebj2sVHx4w

— Foreign Ministry  (@KSAmofaEN) February 9, 2025

“The Kingdom notes that the proponents of these extremist ideas are the ones who prevented Israel from accepting peace by refusing peaceful coexistence, rejecting the peace initiatives adopted by the Arab countries, and systematically practicing injustice toward the Palestinian people for more than 75 years, with disregard to the truth, justice, law and the values established in the United Nations Charter, including the human’s right to live in dignity on his land,” the statement added.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also reiterated that the right of the Palestinian people “will remain firmly established and no one will be able to take it away from them no matter how long it takes.”

It added lasting peace would only be achieved by “returning to the logic of reason and accepting the principle of peaceful coexistence through the two-state solution.”

Egypt earlier condemned as “irresponsible” statements by Israeli officials suggesting establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi territory, with its Foreign Ministry emphasizing that the suggestion was a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty.” It added that the Kingdom’s security was a “red line for Egypt.”

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry described the Israeli remarks as “inflammatory and a clear violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and state sovereignty.”

Spokesperson Sufian Qudah criticized what he described as Israel’s continued provocative policies and rhetoric, stressing that such statements reflect an exclusionary and hostile approach that undermines regional stability, Petra reported.

Jordan, he added, stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia against these statements, urging international actors to take a firm stance against irresponsible rhetoric that threatens peace efforts.

The UAE also strongly condemned and denounced Netanyahu’s “reprehensible and provocative” statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia and “affirmed its categorical rejection of these unacceptable statements.”

JAZAN: In the heart of Jazan, the Indian almond has become a distinctive seasonal agricultural product for which the region in southwest Saudi Arabia is well known.

The almond tree is characterized by its dense foliage, abundant shade, and delectable fruit with a rich flavor.

Indian almonds play a significant role in Jazan’s agricultural identity, thriving in the region’s warm environment and tropical climate, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The fruit are highly sought after, whether enjoyed as a snack or valued for their natural oils.

The almond season in Jazan begins in February, marked by the blooming of white and yellow flowers that attract bees, which, along with the wind, aid in pollination.

Between May and July, the fruit gradually ripen, changing from green to yellow or red, signaling full maturity.

Peak production occurs in June and July, when the fruit are harvested and sold in local markets in substantial quantities and varying sizes, with each fruit weighing between 15 and 30 grams.

Ripe almonds are prized for their soft texture and the ease with which the edible core can be extracted, reaching peak sweetness and exhibiting a more pronounced almond flavor.

Indian almonds are available in several markets, including the central Jazan market, as well as in the governorates of Sabia, Bish, Abu Arish, Samtah, and others throughout the region.

In Jazan, the combination of heavy rains and relatively high temperatures enhances production quality, increasing investment opportunities for cultivating the product.

This includes the development of packaging and marketing operations, locally and internationally, the establishment of factories for extracting Indian almond oil, and the expansion of organic agriculture to meet the rising demand for natural and healthy products.

These initiatives contribute significantly to the region’s agricultural and economic development.