New air route will take Arab-Israeli pilgrims straight to Makkah

An Israeli newspaper has revealed secret communication between Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan who plan to launch a direct air route between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and Saudi Arabia to transport Arab-Israeli pilgrims during Hajj season.

Ynetnews said that Palestinians with Israeli citizenship will have to stop briefly at Amman’s Queen Alia airport due to the lack of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi before continuing their journey.

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The paper quoted an unnamed senior Israeli source as saying that communications have reached an advanced stage, adding that if the plan goes ahead it will allowed pilgrims to fly straight to Makkah instead of taking the land route.

The plans come as the Trump administration calls on Arab states to normalise relations with Israel and as Israel and the Palestinian Authority resume negotiations.