Israel to operate flights to UAE through Saudi airspace: Netanyahu

CAIRO – 17 August 2020: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is working on Tel Aviv flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi via Saudi airspace.

Talking during a tour of Ben Gurion airport, Monday, Netanyahu explained that Israel is working on direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which would fly over Saudi Arabia.

Brokered by the United States of America, both the United Arab of Emirates and Israel reached an agreement of normalization in return for putting an end to the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian West Bank, to be the first Gulf State country that normalizes relations with Israel.

The announcement of the agreement came during a phone call between Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

“This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement,” a joint statement read.

The agreement of normalization includes having “bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit,” the statement added, noting that delegations of three countries would met next weeks to sign the agreement.

“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations,” the statement continued.

On his official Twitter account, US President Donald Trump described the agreement as “historic.