Title: Israeli Tourism Minister Leads Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Strengthening Ties
Subtitle: Haim Katz becomes the first Israeli minister to visit Saudi Arabia, signaling the potential for a normalization deal between the two countries
Date: [Insert Date]
In a historic move, Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, leading a delegation to a United Nations conference and becoming the first Israeli minister to visit the kingdom. The visit marks a significant step towards a potential normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Katz’s two-day visit to Saudi Arabia is part of a United Nations World Tourism Organization event that coincides with World Tourism Day on September 27. Highlighting the importance of tourism as a bridge between nations, Katz emphasized the potential for cooperation in this sector to bring hearts together and contribute to economic progress.
“I will work to advance cooperation, tourism, and the foreign relations of Israel,” Katz stated, expressing his commitment to furthering ties between the two countries.
This visit comes as the United States President Joe Biden’s administration actively engages Riyadh and Jerusalem in brokering a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. As part of the framework, Saudi Arabia is seeking a major mutual defense pact, significant arms deals, and Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted at the progress towards a historic deal with Saudi Arabia in his recent address to the United Nations. Furthermore, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman remarked in a Fox News interview that the two countries are getting closer to normalizing ties, while emphasizing the importance of the Palestinian issue in the process.
This significant visit follows a delegation of Israeli staffers who flew to Saudi Arabia earlier this month as observers to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is set to visit Saudi Arabia next week for the Universal Postal Union’s 2023 Extraordinary Congress. Additionally, Knesset Economic Affairs Committee chairman David Bitan is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia.
Notably, both Karhi and Bitan are members of Israel’s ruling Likud party. However, efforts to further strengthen ties between the two countries have encountered obstacles, with Saudi Arabia reportedly barring Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Education Minister Yoav Kisch from attending the conference.
While the visit signals progress towards normalization, Saudi Arabia does not officially recognize Israel. Nevertheless, these recent developments indicate a growing willingness from both countries to engage in dialogue and explore opportunities for cooperation.
As Israel and Saudi Arabia take steps towards a potential normalization deal, the international community closely watches the evolving relations in the Middle East.