Israeli nationals allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia

 Israel's interior minister has said that Israeli citizens will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia.

The statement comes as the United States announces its new plan for peace in the Middle East in the next few days. According to observers, the United States also needs the support of Saudi Arabia.

The announcement is a fresh example of the quietly growing relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations. But there is a common ground between the two countries in Iran.  Under the new Israeli policy, Muslims living in Israel will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes, while Israeli Jews will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia for business purposes. Jerusalem-based journalist Harinder Mishra says Israeli citizens are already heading to Saudi Arabia. Those of them who are Muslims need special documents from the Waqf Board in Israel. According to reports, Jewish citizens who go to Saudi Arabia for business purposes are allowed to go there under mutual trust between the two countries, but the number of such people is very low. "Because there are no diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, so far it has been the case that if a Muslim Israeli wants to go to Saudi Arabia, he goes through Jordan or Egypt. These people do not have a visa in their passport, but they have special documents issued by the Israeli Waqf Board. Harinder Mishra said the route to Saudi Arabia would still be the same, but now these people would be able to travel on their Israeli passports. "Now it will happen that an Israeli citizen will be issued a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia and the Israeli government will have no objection to the stamp of a Saudi visa on the passport." Harinder Mishra said that a new law has been passed with the signature of the Israeli Interior Minister. Under the new law, Israeli citizens will now be able to travel to Saudi Arabia on Israeli passports. Those who are Muslims will be able to go to perform their religious duties. While Jewish citizens will be able to go on business, they will need an invitation from an institution or government official from Saudi Arabia. Harinder Mishra said he knew many Israeli nationals working or had worked in Saudi Arabia, which showed that there was already a tacit understanding between the two countries. According to some observers, Israel is holding elections in March and Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to show that his foreign policy has improved Israel's relations with many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. According to the Israeli Interior Ministry, the decision was made in consultation with Israeli security officials and other relevant agencies, including the Foreign Ministry. There has been no reaction from Saudi Arabia to the Israeli announcement, but Saudi Arabia has already taken several steps that indicate an improvement in relations between the two countries. In 2018, Saudi Arabia allowed Air India flights to Israel to pass through its airspace, reducing travel time by several hours. According to journalist Harinder Mishra, one of the reasons for the decision of the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu may be that elections are being held in Israel in March and Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to show that because of his foreign policy, the Saudis Israel's relations with many Arab countries, including the Arab world, have improved. Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab countries to have formal diplomatic relations and peace agreements with Israel.