No Direct Flights from Israel to Hajj Available This Month

Direct flights between Israel and Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage have been cancelled, according to National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. Hanegbi has said that direct flights may be possible in the future. This year’s pilgrimage will take place from 26 June to 1 July, with pilgrims often arriving and departing from Mecca several days before and after the period. Last month, Israel’s Foreign Ministry reported that its Muslim citizens were hoping that a direct flight agreement would be reached between the two countries. Israelis who travel for the pilgrimage currently have to use third-party countries, including Jordan, as part of their journey. Around 18% of Israeli citizens are Muslim.
The ability to provide direct flights would be seen as a step towards normalization with Riyadh, which is a foreign policy goal of the Biden administration. The Israeli government is extending gestures of goodwill towards Saudi Arabia, including backing its bid to host the world’s fair in 2030.