Saudi Arabia announced that it will allow Israeli flights to the United Arab Emirates to cross through Saudi airspace, according to Walla News.The announcement comes after an official request by the UAE as well as diplomatic efforts by White House Special Adviser Jared Kushner.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the news, explaining that the new flight path would open Israel up to Asia and the East, by ensuring a much faster trip to destinations heavily favored by Israelis.“These are the benefits of a peace that is genuine,” Netanyahu said, as he linked the Saudi decision to the burgeoning Israeli normalization deal with the Emirates.“I want to thank Jared Kushner and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for today’s important contribution. There will be a great deal more good news to come,” he added.
Kushner and Netanyahu have spoken of the possibility of future peace deals between Israel and other members of the Arab League. Both Israel and the US have eyed Saudi Arabia.
But the Kingdom has insisted that it will not make peace with Israel prior to the creation of a Palestinian state at the pre-1967 lines.
cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: ’36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b’ }).render(‘4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6’); });
On Wednesday Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud tweeted that in spite of its decision to open up its skies to Israeli aircraft, the country still held firm on its position with regard to peace.
“The Kingdom’s firm and established positions towards the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people will not change by allowing the passage through the Kingdom’s airspace for flights coming to and departing from the United Arab Emirates to all countries,” the foreign minister said.
He added that the “Kingdom appreciates all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative.”
“This is a big breakthrough,” Netanyahu said. “For years, I have been working to open the skies between Israel and the East.”The first break came in 2018, when Air India was allowed to fly directly to Tel Aviv over Saudi Arabia. Now, he said, flights to the UAE can do so as well.The prime minister explained this to mean that Israelis can go from there to other destinations in Asia, such as Thailand, faster and cheaper.“Now there is another tremendous breakthrough: Israeli planes and those from all countries will be able to fly directly from Israel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and back. Flights will be cheaper and shorter, and it will lead to robust tourism and develop our economy.”He said that this “will open up the East. When you fly to Thailand or anywhere else in Asia, it will save time and money. This is amazing news for you, the citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu said.On Monday, El Al made its first direct flight to the UAE, with a route that took it over Saudi airspace, returning the same way on Tuesday. That flight was a special charter that carried high-level Israeli and US delegations.Netanyahu said he had long sought such a flight route.
Source
Jesus Christ is King
Comments are closed.