Israeli citizens may visit Saudi Arabia

Citizens of Israel may now visit Saudi Arabia for religious reasons and for business purposes. The Israeli Interior Ministry has announced this. The announcement is seen as a sign that the relations between the Jewish state and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are improving considerably.

For example, Israeli Muslims are allowed to make a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Until now this was only possible with special permission, for example for terminal patients. Jewish Israelis can spend nine days on a business trip in Saudi Arabia, provided they have an official invitation and permission from the authorities.

Israel and Saudi Arabia have no formal diplomatic relationship. Due to the growing diplomatic tension around Iran, more and more states in the Gulf region are secretly establishing relationships with Israel. Israel has only concluded peace treaties with neighboring countries Egypt and Jordan.

Birthplace of Islam

Saudi Arabia does not want to respond publicly. In 2018, however, the oil state already made a gesture of goodwill by allowing airline Air India to use Saudi airspace on its way to Israel. Islam originated in Saudi Arabia and is home to the two holiest Islamic cities, Mecca and Medina.

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