Israel's Interior Ministry said Sunday that it will now allow Israelis to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious or business visits.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced the move after consulting the country's defense establishment, saying that Israelis would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia under two circumstances: For religious reasons on pilgrimage on the hajj, or for up to nine days for business reasons such as investment or meetings.
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Travelers would still need an invitation and permission from the Saudi authorities, the statement said.
The move is the latest sign of quiet but warming relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The two do not have formal diplomatic relations but have found common ground in their shared animosity toward Iran.
Under Sunday's announcement, Israeli Muslims can go to Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimages. In the past, such visits required special permission from the government, the ministry said. And in a first, it said Jewish Israelis will be permitted to go to Saudi Arabia to conduct business deals. While some Israelis are believed to already visit Saudi Arabia, this requires either a foreign passport or special permission.
There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom has made small gestures toward Israel in the past. In 2018, it began allowing Air India to fly through its airspace on its Israel route, cutting several hours off the trip.
Saudi support for the new US peace plan would give significant momentum to the initiative. It remains unclear, however, whether the Saudis will do so, given the staunch opposition to the plan by the Palestinians.
