Riyadh: Israelis not welcome
Response comes after Deri said Israelis permitted limited visits
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said Israelis were not welcome to visit the kingdom after Israel decreed that its citizens could visit the territory under certain circumstances, CNN reported on Monday.
“Our policy is fixed. We do not have relations with the State of Israel and Israeli passport holders cannot visit the kingdom at the current time,” the US broadcaster quoted Prince Faisal bin Farhan as saying.
Interior Minister Arye Deri on Sunday authorized a select number of Israelis to be the first with permission to visit Saudi Arabia under certain conditions, which include entrepreneurs seeking investments, in a sign of warming ties.
After consulting the country’s security establishment, Deri said Israelis would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia under two circumstances: for religious reasons on pilgrimage for the Hajj, or for up to nine days for business reasons such as investment or meetings.
Travelers would still need permission from the Saudi authorities to gain entry to the country, besides their initial permission from the State of Israel.
Israel has peace treaties with two Arab countries – Egypt and Jordan – but concerns over Iran’s influence in the region have led to thawing ties with some Gulf states as well.
Ties between Jerusalem and Riyadh have been warming recently, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanking a Saudi political leader for visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp on the day of the World Holocaust Forum.
Netanyahu has been looking to capitalize on common interests like Iran, while also marketing technologies to try and further normalize relations.
Israelis – mostly Muslims going on pilgrimages – have been traveling to Saudi Arabia for years, but usually with special permission or using foreign passports.
Saudi authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The kingdom launched a tourism visa last year for visitors from 49 countries, as part of its bid to diversify the economy and open up society. Israel is not among the eligible countries.