Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Israeli flights amid Biden visit

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Saudi Arabia on Friday, July 15, 2022, opened airspace for “all airlines,” indicating the end of the old ban on Israeli flights that exceeded their territory – key steps towards normalization between the two countries when President Joe Biden visited the region.

In a statement posted on Twitter a few hours before Mr. Biden will be the first US leader to fly directly from Israel to the kingdom, the general authority of Saudi Arabian civil aviation said they announced the decision to open the royal airspace for all air for all operator air that meets the authority requirements for overflying.

This announcement is an additional step Towards the normalization of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel and built a strong but informal bond that had previously been developed by enemies had developed the last few years on their common concerns about the increasing Iranian influence in the region.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed the decision of Saudi Arabia to open airspace for all civil operators, including flights to and from Israel, said the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

This decision opens the way for the Middle East which is more integrated, stable and safe, which is very important for the security and prosperity of the United States and the American people, and for Israeli security and prosperity,” Sullivan said in a statement.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has allowed flights between Israel and Gulf countries to cross through airspace. In 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly flying to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and last week several Israeli defense journalists visited the kingdom and published news reports on their remarks.

Mr. Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid stands side by side Thursday and states they will not let Iran become nuclear power. They separated, about how to get there.

Mr. Biden, in a joint press conference after a one-on-one meeting with Israel’s leader, said he still wanted to provide a diplomatic opportunity. A few moments before, Mr. Lapid insisted that words alone would not frustrate Tehran’s nuclear ambition.

While Mr. Biden suggested that his patience with Iran runs low, he held out the hope that Iran could be persuaded to rejoin the inactive agreement intended to prevent him from building nuclear weapons.

I continue to believe that diplomacy is the best way to achieve this result,” said Mr. Biden on the second day of four days visits to Israel and Saudi Arabia. This is his first journey to the Middle East as President.

Emphasis on Biden on Diplomatic Solutions Kontras with Lapid, who said Iran must face the threat of real power before going to agree to surrender to its nuclear ambitions.

The word -word will not stop them, Mr. President. Diplomacy will not stop them,” Lapid said. “The only thing that will stop Iran is to know that if they continue to develop their nuclear program, the free world will use strength.” Lapid suggested that he and Biden agreed, even though his rhetoric was harder with Iran.

I don’t think there is light between us,” he said. “We can’t let Iran become nuclear.” Biden also said, “We will not, let me say it again, we will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons.” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attacked the US and “regional allies” for uniting instability in the region, the IRNA news agency managed by the government reported.

Every mistake by America and their allies in this region and the world will meet with a strong and regrettable response,” said Mr. Raisi.

Mr. Biden warned that his patience was wearing thin for Iran to rejoin with a nuclear agreement, the day after saying he would be willing to use the power against Tehran as the last attempt. The President said the US had set the leadership of Iran the road to return to the nuclear agreement and was still waiting for responses.