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RIYADH: The Muslim World League (MWL) on Tuesday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to a settlement on occupied Palestinian land, calling his statements on “clinging to the land” a continuation of the occupation government’s policy of provocation and defiance of international legitimacy.

During his visit to the West Bank settlement of Ofra, marking its 50th anniversary, Netanyahu boasted that he had fulfilled his promise to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, reported. He recalled pledging 25 years ago “to ensure our continued hold on the Land of Israel, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state … thank God, what I promised — we kept.”

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa said such actions undermine efforts to end the war and block prospects for peace. 
He renewed the League’s appeal to the international community to “rush to save the Palestinian people” and seize the opportunity to stop the conflict by implementing the two-state solution.
Al-Issa said the MWL’s support for the final document of the recent high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, co-chaired by �������� and France. 
He warned that continued violations by what he described as an extremist Israeli government represent a grave threat to regional and global stability and remain the biggest obstacle to achieving lasting peace.

RIYADH: The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, organized a workshop on cultural heritage in nature reserves.

It was part of national efforts to integrate cultural and environmental dimensions and promote national identity through the preservation and development of nature reserves, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Attended by various specialists and experts, the workshop explored ways to leverage intangible cultural heritage in nature reserves, emphasizing the vital role of local communities in preserving it and passing it on to future generations.

The initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of national organisations committed to preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural biodiversity, and creating an integrated tourism experience that highlights the richness of Saudi identity in its environmental and cultural dimensions.

The reserve is also undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area.

This restoration aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to revitalize the reserve’s vegetation and restore ecological balance, the SPA reported.

Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. They provide grazing, shade and habitat for wildlife while also helping to stabilize the soil and offering a nectar source for high-quality honey.