The announcement of the imminent recognition by the Élysée Palace was immediately welcomed by Saudi Arabia. Today, Saudi Arabia shares with Paris not only an initiative at the UN on the reaffirmation of the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also many political and economic interests in the Middle East.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are investing billions in artificial intelligence and data centres in a two horse race followed with attention and some fear in Washington and Beijing who are trying to boost their partnerships. Gulf states have energy and money, but still lacks qualified talents and brilliant minds. In the first quarter, Saudi GDP boomed, driven by the non-oil sector.
The Indonesian president has welcomed his French counterpart on an official visit. Prabowo opens to normalising ties with Israel, but ties it to the establishment of a recognised Palestinian entity. A shared hope for a “just and lasting” solution in the region.
Gholamreza Ghasemian was imprisoned for accusing the Wahhabi kingdom of "moral corruption" during the Hajj. His criticisms targeted bin Salman’s reforms opening the country to tourism and Western businesses. Iran’s judiciary voices criticism, while the government plays down the incident and praises Saudi Arabia’s organisation of the pilgrimage. Iranian executed for allegedly spying for Israel.
The US president is in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a regional trip that includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (but not Israel). His agenda is centred on business and billion-dollar deals (including weapons), relegating other issues to the margins. Economics and Saudi money overshadow human rights issues and environmental concerns linked to the Red Sea megaproject.
Bishop Berardi recounts Holy Week among Catholics in the Gulf, a ‘unique’ reality due to the multitude of rituals and languages. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia use the internet and television to follow the celebrations. Prayers for peace in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. The meaning of the mission, which is ‘first and foremost personal conversion’.
