Saudi Arabia is at the crossroads of several global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the future of the Gaza Strip and Iranian nuclear power. Under the leadership of bin Salman, the kingdom has strengthened relations with Trump and defused tensions with Tehran. The game of normalisation with Israel and the internal challenge with the United Arab Emirates for hegemony in the Gulf.
The Rosary Sisters nun who shared life with Gazans under Hamas rule as well as the suffering of war spoke to AsiaNews about the US president’s statement in favour of expelling Palestinians from Gaza to turn it into a “Riviera” of the Middle East. For her, Palestinians must be able to live on their own land; otherwise, it would be “like telling the American people to abandon their land”.
Saudi Arabia will allow foreign capital to invest in Islam’s two holiest cities. Foreigners will be able to buy shares (up to 49 per cent) but direct ownership of real estate is excluded. Jordanian scholar Al Sabaileh told AsiaNews that with Mohammed bin Salman, the country is experiencing a "total change" with the economy dictating foreign and domestic policy choices. Peace with Israel would be a “gigantic step”.
The Palestinian Catholic leader calls the ceasefire agreed upon after tensions in the Israeli government and with Hamas a "good development". For him, children cannot be “killed because of the (alleged) crime of the father or the mother.” Rehauling the Palestinian system of government will be a challenge, one that will not see Hamas play any leading role.
Enthusiasm in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon over the ceasefire agreement in the Strip between Israel and Hamas. Nawaf Salam, former president of the International Criminal Court, elected new prime minister. Macron expected in Beirut. The Maronite Church applauds Lebanon's adoption of the principle of ‘positive neutrality’ in foreign policy. President Aoun's first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia.
Bishop Berardi spoke to AsiaNews about various topics, from politics and the Jubilee and the Church and the societies of the Gulf. The rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria (and Assad’s ouster) and the presidential election in Lebanon are a sign of Saudi strength and Iranian weakness. “Ambiguities" surround Palestinian "martyrs". Christians are witnesses of hope, contributing to the development of local societies.
