Saudi Foreign Minister chills enthusiasm: "Israelis are not invited"

Faisal bin Farhan announced that Israeli passport holders cannot visit Saudi Arabia, despite the permit that Deri signed. "Our policy is fixed. We have no ties with Israel," the minister said. However, he hinted that a peace agreement with the Palestinians might change that, in the light of the preparations for the publication of the century deal

Saudi Foreign Minister chills enthusiasm: "Israelis are not invited"

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After the Interior Ministry signed an exit permit for Saudi Arabia, Saudi Foreign Minister said Monday that Israelis are not invited to visit the kingdom. "Our policies are fixed. We have no ties with the State of Israel and holders of Israeli passports cannot visit the Kingdom as such," Prince Faisal Ben Farhan said on CNN.

Yesterday, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri signed the decree allowing travel to Saudi Arabia under certain circumstances, in coordination with security officials, the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council and other relevant bodies. According to the permit, Israelis who have been granted a permit by the Saudi authorities will be allowed to travel for religious reasons - during the Hajj period and for observance of the Umara staff - or for business reasons, such as attending business meetings or seeking investment for up to nine days.

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"Our policy is fixed. We have no ties with the State of Israel." Ben Farhan (Photo: Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir during his meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dandias in Athens, Greece, January 24, 2020. (Photo: Reuters)

Israelis, most of them Muslim, have been visiting for years in the kingdom that hosts two of the most sacred sites in Islam, but it usually requires special permission or travel by foreign passports. In his latest statement, the Saudi minister chilled the enthusiasm of Deri's announcement today. However, he said, "When a peace agreement is reached between the Palestinians and Israelis, I believe Israel's involvement in the region will be on the table."

Ben Farhan's remarks were said while US President Donald Trump is about to announce the "Century of the Deal" tomorrow, the US administration's peace plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz, saying he "hopes to say 'yes' to Middle East peace." He said, "Without the Palestinians, we will not do the deal and it is fine. Many Arab countries support the program and this is a good start. "

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Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Reuters)

Muslims pray around the Holy Kaaba in the Great Mosque, during the annual Mecca of Mecca, August 16, 2018 (Photo: Reuters)