Washington, 16 July 2022 (TDI): Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to all commercial airlines on Friday, including flights to and from Israel, in a step toward mending relations between the two countries as the President of the USA, Joe Biden, visits the Middle East.
The US President visited Saudi Arabia to discuss tempering oil prices. He applauded and welcomed the decision made by the KSA and said that it could “help build momentum toward Israel’s further integration into the region.”
Normalization of Israel’s relations with the Arab world:
First time in history, the Saudi Government has let this happen as the countries haven’t been politically close. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have any formal diplomatic relations.
Moreover, most of the Aircraft that flew from Tel Aviv had to fly around Saudi Arabia.
Joe Biden is the first President of the United States to be able to fly direct from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A probable rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia has been described as the “crown jewel” of the Jewish State’s relations in the Arab world. As part of a series of agreements at the conclusion of former American President Donald Trump’s administration, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan normalized relations with Israel in 2020.
Remarks of the American President:
President Biden praised the Saudi Government for this act. He was of the view that it was actually the steady diplomatic plan turning into a reality.
The President remarked, “Saudi Arabia’s historic decision to open its airspace for all civilian planes, including those flying to and from Israel, is an important step towards building a more integrated and stable Middle East region.
While this opening has long been discussed, now, thanks to months of steady diplomacy between my Administration and Saudi Arabia, it is finally a reality.
Today, I will be the first president of the United States to fly from Israel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As we mark this important moment, Saudi Arabia’s decision can help build momentum toward Israel’s further integration into the region, including with Saudi Arabia.
I will do all that I can, through direct diplomacy and leader-to-leader engagement, to keep advancing this groundbreaking process.”
