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The State of Israel is looking at Tel Aviv-Jeddah flights for Hajj pilgrims

Varun

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Israel is trying to persuade Saudi Arabia to allow it to send special Hajj pilgrimage flights to Mecca, building on Trump administration efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two nations.

Instead of enduring the 1,000-mile bus route across the Jordan River and through the Saudi desert to reach Islam’s most sacred shrine, Israel hopes its Muslim citizens will be able to fly directly into the kingdom from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, Communications Minister Ayoob Kara said. Just two months ago, Trump broke a longstanding taboo by flying between the two nations, which do not have formal diplomatic relations or airline links but have drawn closer in recent years due to a shared enemy, Iran.

“Reality has changed,” Kara said in an interview this week at his office in Jerusalem. “This is a good time to make the request, and I’m working hard on it.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...agreement-to-bring-pilgrims-to-mecca-j513r5ie

I suppose anything that brings the Middle East closer to peace is a good move forward.
 
Since when did Saudi Arabia start allowing Israeli passport holders (Israeli Arabs) to enter Saudi Arabia? Or does it make an exception for Haj?
As far as I was aware, even having an Israeli visa in the passport was sufficient to be denied entry to most Arab countries. That's why Israel will not stamp your passport if you ask when you enter Israel but provide you with alternative documentation instead. Have things changed to such an extent that this is not an issue anymore?
 
Since when did Saudi Arabia start allowing Israeli passport holders (Israeli Arabs) to enter Saudi Arabia? Or does it make an exception for Haj?
As far as I was aware, even having an Israeli visa in the passport was sufficient to be denied entry to most Arab countries. That's why Israel will not stamp your passport if you ask when you enter Israel but provide you with alternative documentation instead. Have things changed to such an extent that this is not an issue anymore?


They are given temporary Jordanian passports.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian government confirmed that it has issued temporary passports to Arab-Israeli citizens so that they may enter Saudi Arabia for the hajj.

A reported 5,000 Arab-Israelis perform the hajj each year. Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel, so Jordan issues the visas to make the journey possible.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.615855?v=388E4AEBAB4F6657F1D69A71A54B9F8E
 
Why do these two even pretend to hate each other? They're literally the same.
 
Why do these two even pretend to hate each other? They're literally the same.
Silly question. Perhaps due to a complete lack of knowledge of what each country represents, and has under it's control. And I don't mean military hardware or black gold.
 
Silly question. Perhaps due to a complete lack of knowledge of what each country represents, and has under it's control. And I don't mean military hardware or black gold.

Both are the same but under a different pretext.
 
The thing that trumps everything at the moment for these two is their mutual hatred and paranoia of Iran and shiites. Other than that do they really have anything in common?
 
The thing that trumps everything at the moment for these two is their mutual hatred and paranoia of Iran and shiites. Other than that do they really have anything in common?

I never understood why isreal hates iran, after all the shia sect was founded by a jewish convert.
 
I never understood why isreal hates iran, after all the shia sect was founded by a jewish convert.

Iran wants to nuke the hell out of it, it's understandable why Israel would be wary.
 
Never gonna happen. Whatever their relations might be behind closed door, they aren't gonna land in saudi airports. Under current law, nobody from israel can't even step foot in saudi arab. There is no ambiguity in it. Bloomberg is just being over smart. The immigration laws here don't make any exception regarding the religion or ethnicity of an israeli.
 
Iran wants to nuke the hell out of it, it's understandable why Israel would be wary.

I'm glad someone is buying the Neo con agenda, cos nobody else seems to be.

And it's not Iran that's got 200 nukes pointed at Israel.
 
These Saudi's will sell anything to Israel. I hate them so much.
 
[MENTION=142623]Musakhel[/MENTION] Israel hates Iran because Iran hates it and is a threat to Israels geopolitical dominance of the middle east.
 
Netanyhahu wants special prevailiges for his second class citizens
Sumat doesn't add up
 
These Saudi's will sell anything to Israel. I hate them so much.

Saudis sell everything you Israel, so you hate them.
Indian PM just wrapped up a massively successful trip to Israel, so the regular black sheep (and sympathizers of terrorism -- yes, you know who you are) are labeling him Hitler / Stalin / Mussolini.

But, but, but -- China has an equally (if not more) strong relationship with Israel, so what are you going to do about it? Nothing. Zip. Nada. Shunya!

Irony just died a million times!
 
Saudis sell everything you Israel, so you hate them.
Indian PM just wrapped up a massively successful trip to Israel, so the regular black sheep (and sympathizers of terrorism -- yes, you know who you are) are labeling him Hitler / Stalin / Mussolini.

But, but, but -- China has an equally (if not more) strong relationship with Israel, so what are you going to do about it? Nothing. Zip. Nada. Shunya!

Irony just died a million times!

I don't know what you are saying. Try speaking in plain English if possible. I find sarcasm to be annoying.
 
I don't know what you are saying. Try speaking in plain English if possible. I find sarcasm to be annoying.

Basically Israel has open relationships with loads of countries so u shud hate them all equally
 
Those other countries may not be enemies with Pak. We should by and large stay out of all Arab affairs and wars.

To the contrary
Pakistan has had an active role in reforming azhar university in the last few years
It's army general was the head of an anti terrorism coalition
And apparently theyve played a part in Mosul too

As for Arab affairs , Israel has great relationships with Egypt and Jordan
Arguably down to their own Palestinian populations which have been whipped up to create that global anti immigration sentiment
In the 50th anniversary of the 6 day war, theres no real Arab war against Israel that u talk about
 
To the contrary
Pakistan has had an active role in reforming azhar university in the last few years
It's army general was the head of an anti terrorism coalition
And apparently theyve played a part in Mosul too

As for Arab affairs , Israel has great relationships with Egypt and Jordan
Arguably down to their own Palestinian populations which have been whipped up to create that global anti immigration sentiment
In the 50th anniversary of the 6 day war, theres no real Arab war against Israel that u talk about

I am telling you what Pak should do not what they have done thus far. Whatever relations Israel forms with other Arab countries is none of Pak's business neither do I care. For a prosperous Pakistan we must stay out of all Middle Eastern affairs. What war am I talking about, exactly? I am saying that we should greatly reduce relations with these troublesome and ungrateful Arab's. I am not from the Zaid Hamid school of thought that believes we should poke our nose in all Muslim affairs.
 
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