Israel seeks Saudi Arabia’s permission for direct Hajj flights

According to reports on Thursday, Israel has asked Saudi Arabia for authorization to conduct direct Hajj flights.

According to media sources, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated that a request in this respect had been issued to the Saudi administration, but that he could not say whether any progress had been made at this time.

"I am very optimistic about the future of our relations with Saudi Arabia." If Saudi Arabia grants permission for direct flights to Israel for Hajj, the planes will operate from June to August, benefiting Israel's 18 percent Muslim population," the minister was cited as saying by international media.

According to current protocols, pilgrims from Israel and Palestine travel to Makkah via third-party countries, incurring additional costs.