Information on the relations between the Palestinian community and the Saudi authorities (particularly the police) [SAU14602]

Information on this specific subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB; however, for general information on the treatment of foreigners in Saudi Arabia and an estimate of the number of Palestinians in that country, please refer to the attached Responses to Information Requests SAU14600 and SAU14601. The pro-Iraqi position of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) during the 1990 Gulf War did not sit well with Saudi Arabia, and as a result the Saudi government abolished the privileges thousands of Palestinians enjoyed in Saudi Arabia (Reuters 19 Sept. 1990). Prior to the war Palestinians did not need visas to enter Saudi Arabia or sponsors to stay in the country. They were exempt from the rules applicable to other foreigners investing or trading in Saudi Arabia, and they could not be deported from Saudi Arabia (Ibid.). The Saudi action against Palestinians as a result of the Gulf War placed them in the same category as other foreigners in the kingdom. According to a Reuters news report of 11 April 1992, although relations with Palestinians have improved somewhat, the Saudis have not forgotten the role of the PLO in the Gulf War. For further information on the current state of the relationship between the Saudis and the PLO, which might give an idea of that country's position vis-a-vis the Palestinians, please refer to the attachments.

Additional and/or corroborative information is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

References


Reuters. 11 April 1992. BC Cycle. "Palestinians See Signs of Slight Thaw with Saudis." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 19 September 1990. BC Cycle. "Saudis Impose Restrictions on Yemenis, Palestinians." (NEXIS)

Attachments

The Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles]. 9 August 1991. "Abu Nidal Unit in Middle East." (NEXIS)

Middle East News Network. 8 February 1993. "Committee Gives $2.2 Million to Palestinian Cause." (NEXIS)

Newsday [New York]. 28 December 1992. "Rabbi, Crowd Rap UN `Hypocrites'." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 11 April 1992. BC Cycle. "Palestinians See Signs of Slight Thaw with Saudis." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 September 1990. BC Cycle. "Saudis Impose Restrictions on Yemenis, Palestinians." (NEXIS)