Jerusalem residents are ‘optimistic’ about direct flights to Saudi Arabia

As a further step towards normalcy, Israel is optimistic that it would be able to set up direct flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia for the Haj, the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, this year.

A diplomatic source expressed hope about the ongoing negotiations on Monday.

The comments were made following days of consistent rumors of a breakthrough in negotiations before the pilgrimage, which is scheduled to take place from June 26 to July 1 this year.

According to Maariv, only Israeli Muslims would be permitted on the flights out of Ben-Gurion and Ramon Airports. 4,500 Israelis are anticipated to travel to Mecca this year, up from 2,700 last year. Most previously traveled via Jordan.

FM Cohen claims that normalization with Saudi Arabia is imminent.

According to Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, normalization with Saudi Arabia is "not a matter of if, but when," he told The Jerusalem Post last week. Saudi Arabia and we have similar interests.

During their visit to Jeddah this month, White House Middle East and North Africa Coordinator Brett McGurk and Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos Hochstein discussed peace with Israel with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), according to Cohen.

Although senior Saudi officials have often stated publicly that progress between Israel and the Palestinians must be made for Riyadh to take that step, the foreign minister told N12 on Saturday night that normalization with Saudi Arabia may happen in the next six to a year.

In Jeddah last week, MBS stated that "the Palestinian issue was and remains the central issue for Arab countries, and it is at the top of the kingdom's priorities."

He declared, "We won't wait to help the Palestinian people recover their lands, restore their legitimate rights, and establish an independent state on the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital."

Since 2018, Israel has sought direct flights to Jeddah for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. During US President Joe Biden's July visit to Saudi Arabia, Israel launched a strong diplomatic push. At the time, Riyadh permitted Israeli commercial flights, but not the new ones.

According to Biden, he supports "related steps under discussion to include direct flights on authorized carriers from Israel to Jeddah for the Haj next year."

Comments

1 Saudi Move & Impact On West Asian Geopolitics

As one of the most influential players in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's actions have far-reaching consequences for West Asian geopolitics. In recent years, we've seen several moves from this powerful nation that are shaking up traditional power dynamics and creating new alliances. From its diplomatic spat with Qatar to its growing relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia is making bold moves that could change the face of West Asia as we know it. Join us as we dive into the geopolitical implications of Saudi Arabia's latest actions and explore what they mean for the future of this critical region. Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force in the Middle East, wielding its oil wealth and religious influence to shape regional politics. Its alliance with the United States has given it even greater sway on the global stage, making it a key player in shaping West Asian geopolitics. However, Saudi Arabia's role in the region is not without controversy. Its support for conse...

Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.

According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident , there have been widespread protests in Paris. The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris. A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured. All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre. Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency. In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police use...

Newsaholic

Search This Blog