Israel stated today, Monday, that "operating direct flights to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will not take place this year," downplaying the likelihood of imminent normalization of relations with the kingdom through American mediation. Saudi Arabia did not oppose the establishment of relations between the UAE and Bahrain with Israel in 2020, but it did not move forward with such actions, stating that the goals of establishing a Palestinian state must first be achieved.
However, Israeli and American officials had hoped that the kingdom would allow members of the Muslim minority, which makes up 18 percent of the population in Israel, to travel on direct flights to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj this year as a gesture of goodwill. But Riyadh has not officially offered that.
As the Hajj period approaches from June 25 to July 2, and with the Israeli Ministry of Transportation announcing that airlines have not submitted requests to operate flights to Saudi destinations, a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that it will not happen.
Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi told Israeli public broadcasting (Kan Radio): "We may be in a position to assist with this matter in the next Hajj season, with direct flights departing from here... but it is too early to say that." The administration of US President Joe Biden indicates that normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia is in the best interest of US national security.
