Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud
Riyadh … News Time
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud has made it clear that those holding Israeli passports cannot enter Saudi Arabia. In an interview to the US broadcaster CNN, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said, “We support the peace agreement and the resolution of the issue between Palestine and Israel because it is very important for us.” He said that the issue must be resolved and would support every effort made to give Palestinians their rights. US President Donald Trump asked a question regarding Jerusalem recognizing Israel’s capital that our position in this regard is clear that this is not helpful but it is important that efforts be made for a peace agreement. He said efforts should be made for peace that would give Palestinians their rights and ensure lasting peace in the region.
The Saudi Foreign Minister cited the Israeli government’s permission to allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia, saying that it was our policy in this regard, we do not have relations with Israel and Israeli passport holders cannot visit Saudi Arabia at this time. He said that Israeli citizens would not be welcomed into Saudi Arabia. Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said that when there is a peace agreement between Palestine and Israel, then the matter could be on the table in view of the integration of Israel into the region. “Our proposal with regard to the Arab peace agreement includes that when there is complete peace, the affairs of the state of Israel will be normal.
Remember that the Israeli government announced yesterday that it will allow its citizens to go to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Israeli Interior Minister Ari Deiri said in a statement issued after consulting the country’s security establishment that Israeli citizens would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia in two cases. He had said that Israeli citizens could visit Saudi Arabia for 90 days for religious reasons, such as paying Hajj or Hajj, or for business reasons or investment. Israeli Interior Ministry statement said that those traveling to Saudi Arabia for business will have to make all arrangements to enter Riyadh on their own. And it is important that they receive an invitation from Saudi government agencies for this.
According to the statement, despite permission from Israel, travelers will need Saudi Arabia’s permission to travel. Before getting permission, most people from Arab countries used to visit Saudi Arabia but Israel never allowed both Jews and Muslims in their country to go to Saudi Arabia regularly. The people of Israel have to travel to a third country, especially Jordan, to visit Saudi Arabia. It should be noted that Muslim countries other than Jordan, Egypt and Turkey do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel has Jordan and Egypt have peace agreements, but due to illegal occupation of Palestine, they could not have such agreements with the Muslim world, especially the Arab countries. Prior to the Saudi Foreign Minister’s denial statement, the idea was to show that relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia are improving. And Israel’s decision was viewed from that point of view.
