Tourists from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain who want to visit the Temple Mount will be able to enter the site through the "Jordanian-Palestinian gates," according to an agreement reached by representatives of the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority.
There are nine functioning entrances to the Temple Mount, eight of which are used by Muslims and only one of which is designated for Jews.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
UAE officials sought an agreement of this kind after several clashes between the Waqf officials and UAE citizens who visited the Temple Mount. in October, a delegation of Emirati officials visited the site, entered through a gate commonly used by Israelis, and were ambushed by a small group of Palestinians.
The Palestinian anger comes after the signing of the Abraham Accords peace treaty between Israel and the UAE.
The new agreement ensures the safety of tourists from Muslim countries who visit Al-Aqsa and other holy sites, and compels the Palestinians to recognize the peace between the two countries.
An official familiar with these developments told Israel Hayom that another goal of the agreement was to convey to US President-elect Joe Biden that the Palestinians do not reject the peace.
Meanwhile, the final bureaucratic barriers have been removed to allow Israelis to travel to the UAE freely. The foreign ministries in Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi have confirmed that Israelis will be able to visit Dubai in the coming days.
Some 250 flights are expected to fly from Israel to Dubai next month. There will only be a flight to Dubai for now, not to Abu Dhabi. Those who travel from Israel to the Emirates will be required to pass coronavirus tests after landing.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
