Saudi Arabia and Jordan on Wednesday called on Israel to stop “illegitimate” actions that undermine peace prospects with the Palestinians, at the end of a visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Amman.
Israel must respect the status of Jerusalem, a joint statement said, and it added that Saudi Arabia affirms the importance of Jordan's custody over the holy sites in Jerusalem — a main plank of Jordanian foreign policy.
Prince Mohammed arrived in Amman on Tuesday night and met King Abdullah II of Jordan on an official visit marking improved relations between the two countries, which have been at odds over some regional issues in recent years. On Wednesday, the crown prince left Amman for Turkey, the third stop on his regional tour.
“It is necessary for Israel to stop all illegitimate measures that undermine the two-state solution and the chances for a just peace,” the declaration said.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed the importance of the historic Hashemite custody of the Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem in protecting … and preserving [their] Arab Islamic and Christian identity,” it said, referring to the custodianship over the sites granted in the early 20th century by Palestinian notables to Al Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Makkah — an ancestor of King Abdullah.
The declaration said Israel must respect the “historic and legal status” of occupied East Jerusalem and added that Al Aqsa Mosque, a flashpoint in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is a “purely” Muslim place of worship.
Differences have divided Amman and Riyadh in recent years as the US — a major ally of both countries — focused on normalising relations between Arab states and Israel, something Jordan perceives as undermining the Palestinian cause as well as its historic role as regional interlocutor.
The two countries have also differed over how to deal with the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad, as Jordan became a transit centre for Captagon smuggled from Syria into Arabia.
The Jordanian military said on Tuesday that it had foiled a Captagon smuggling attempt from Syria and seized 678,000 pills “in continuation of the efforts by the armed forces to preserve security”.
King Abdullah and Prince Mohammed last met in March 2021, when the king visited Prince Mohammed in Riyadh to check on him after appendicitis surgery.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Company%20profile
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
