UAE activates tourist entry visas for Israeli passport holders
ABU DHABI: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has announced the activation of tourist entry visas through airlines and travel and tourism offices for Israeli passport holders until procedures for the constitutional ratification of the mutual visa waiver agreement between the two states are completed.
The move falls within bilateral cooperation between the UAE and the State of Israel following the signing of the Abraham Accords and aims to facilitate travel to the UAE for the time being.
The Abraham Accords include travel procedures for Emirati and Israeli citizens that are expected to enter into force shortly.
The UAE Cabinet, on the Nov.1, 2020, ratified the agreement between the UAE and the State of Israel regarding the mutual exemption from entry visa requirements.
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, signed the Abraham Accords between the UAE and the State of Israel on September 15, 2020, opening a new page of relations between the two countries and double efforts to enhance stability and security in the region.
A UAE governmental delegation visited Israel on Oct.20 and discussed cooperation in the fields of investment, trade and technology. The two sides also signed agreements in various economic sectors.
The working groups are advancing a number of bilateral initiatives in various key sectors, including logistics, air links, tourism, cultural exchange, education, medicine, scientific research, and telecommunications.
On Tuesday, Dubai International (DXB), added a new member to its airline family with the arrival of Israeli carrier Israir’s inaugural flight from Tel Aviv.
Flight 6H 663, which departed Tel Aviv-yafo at 10.00 am local time arrived at DXB at 5:10 pm UAE time on Tuesday with 166 passengers on board, made Israir the first Israeli carrier to operate a commercial flight into Dubai, a DXB statement said on Tuesday.
Israir’s inaugural flight is part of a broader engagement between the UAE and Israel to further peace, dialogue and stability and promote sustainable development. The engagement has resulted in organisations of both countries commencing new economic and trade partnerships across sectors.
Israir will operate up to 14 weekly flights using its Airbus A320 aircrat between the two destinations. The launch of the new service coincides with the beginning of the holiday season during which DXB typically witnesses an uptick in passenger volumes passing through the airport.