Official source deplores Palestinian statement on Hajj visas

Jeddah, November 30, SPA -- An official source at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said here today Saudi Arabia deplores false
statements issued by a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
as regards Palestinians in Gaza not getting visas for the Kingdom to
perform Hajj.


The source said Saudi Arabia views all Palestinians on equal
footing. "The Kingdom has given thousands of Palestinians from all
occupied territories including the Gaza Strip, visas for the Kingdom
to perform Hajj, which were delivered to the Palestinian Authority.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has increased the visa quota for
Palestinians, taking into account the circumstances of their
humanitarian conditions. In addition to this, all Saudi outlets are
ready to receive them, and to facilitate their performance of Hajj
rituals."


"In the light of this, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has no option but
to condemn the purpose of these false statements; as altering facts
will be neither in the interests of the Palestinian people nor in the
facilitation of the performance of their religious rites, " the
source added.


--SPA