A people committee organizes a demonstration in al-Zahran today, Saudi authorities ban demonstration
Saudi Arabia-Palestine, Politics, 4/5/2002

The Saudi Arabian authorities on Thursday warned it will not permit holding demonstrations in the Kingdom. This decision came after demonstrators on Monday burnt the Israeli and American flags in protest of the Israeli military campaign in the West Bank.

The Saudi minister of the interior prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz told the Saudi news agency "that this behavior is not permitted because it is not in compliance with our social status and the historical militant stances of Saudi Arabia with the Palestinian people throughout its long history. Stances which ever proved credibility in action."

According to the London- based al-Quds al-Arabi daily, the Saudi demonstrators on Monday burnt Israeli and American flags during a demonstration of support for the Palestinians in Sakkaka city in the north of the Kingdom.

The paper quoted eye- witnesses that the Saudi security forces interfered to disperse the demonstrators and arrested tens of them for investigations. The Saudi press did not give mention to these demonstrations. Prince Nayef said:"What happened in Sakkaka, in al-Jauf area is a mere hasty enthusiasm by almost 150 young men as a result of their sympathy over what is taking place for their brothers of the Palestinian people by the Israeli forces."

Prince Nayef who is also the general supervisor for the Saudi committee in charge of supporting the Intifada expressed "the Kingdom's sympathy leadership, and people with the Palestinian people who are exposed to a war of extermination, killing and violation of all their legitimate rights by the invading Israeli forces."

On Wednesday, the Saudi minister have his directions to give 9,359 million Saudi riyals ( USD 2,494 million to carry out certain charity projects in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Previous Stories:
  Saudi Arabia contacts to halt Israeli onslaught against Palestinians   (4/1/2002)
  Saudi crown prince: no human being will accept Israel's aggression   (3/30/2002)
  Palestinians consult with Saudis on peace initiative   (3/18/2002)

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