Riyadh 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, Israeli media reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the news, explaining that the new flight path would open the Zionist entity up to Asia and the East.
“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 the Israeli regime and other members of the Arab League. Both Tel Aviv and Washington have eyed Saudi Arabia.
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 the so-called ‘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.”
Source: Israeli media
