World Cup qualification national achievement, says Saudi King

Arab News

September 21, 2017

Jeddah, Sept 21: King Salman on Wednesday received the chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), Turki Al-Asheikh, accompanied by the president and members of Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFA) and players of the Saudi Football First Team on the occasion of their qualification for 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Upon their reception at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, King Salman said he was pleased to be among them on this day as they represent their country, which they all have the honor to represent it as it is the Qiblah of Muslims, the land of the Two Holy Mosques and the cradle of Arabism.

He said their qualification (to the World Cup finals) was an achievement for the country and he expressed hope for their success and a safe return to their country.

SAFA President Adel Izzat expressed happiness over meeting King Salman. He said the meeting reflected the care and concern given by the king to the youths and sportsmen which enabled them to occupy top ranks at regional, Arab and global forums, the latest achievement being qualification to the World Cup finals for the fifth time.

He considered the qualification to the World Cup finals one of the fruits of care given by king and the crown prince, whose unlimited support to the players and the administrative and technical staff played a key role in this achievement.

The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, minister of interior; Minister of State and Cabinet member Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani; and a number of officials.

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Israeli minister suggests KILLING instead of kidnapping Palestinians in Gaza

News Network

April 30,2024

Itamar Ben Gvir, a notorious far-right Israeli minister, has suggested that some Palestinians could be “killed” instead of being kidnapped during the savage war in Gaza.

The minister made remarks during an Israeli war cabinet meeting where he questioned the necessity of the detention of a large number of Palestinians.

“Why are there so many arrests? “Can’t you kill some? Do you want to tell me they all surrender? What are we to do with so many arrested? It’s dangerous for the soldiers.” Ben-Gvir was quoted as asking the Israeli military's chief of staff Herzi Halevi.

The minister also reportedly demanded that the army shoot Palestinian women and children in the besieged Palestinian territory to “protect” the Israeli forces.

Halevi briefed ministers who attended the cabinet meeting on the military campaign in Gaza and highlighted that hundreds of Palestinians had surrendered to the occupying forces.

Ben Gvir recently also called for the execution of Palestinian prisoners to ease overcrowding in the jails. The minister said that applying the death penalty to Palestinian detainees was the “right” solution to tackle the problem of prison overcrowding.

Israel soldiers have abducted more than 5,000 of Palestinians during their ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The Gaza media office has said that Palestinian prisoners were undergoing "the worst kinds of torture" in Israeli jails.

Palestinian rights group Addameer earlier this month said Israel was holding 9,500 Palestinian political prisoners, not including those taken from the Gaza Strip.

Israel has arrested thousands of Palestinians since 7 October. Those detained, often without charge, describe regular beatings and a solitary daily meal designed simply to keep them alive.

Palestinians taken prisoner or hostage from both the West Bank and Gaza have given testimonies detailing horrific and sadistic abuse and torture by their Israeli jailers including beatings, verbal abuse, sexual abuse and rape, breaking of limbs, burns, being stripped naked, and forced drug taking.

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