Israel invites Saudi’s crown prince for official visit

Monitoring Desk

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Minister for Transportation and Intelligence Yisrael Katz invited Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Israel, according to the Israel-based Haaretz newspaper.

Katz also urged Saudi Ara-bia’s King Salman to extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan-yahu to visit the country.

The transportation and intelligence minister referred to Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Arab world and said that Prince Salman’s stance against Iran had cast him as an important partner for the U.S. and Israel.

An Israeli cabinet minister on Nov. 19 revealed that Israel has had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia amid common concerns over Iran, a first disclosure by a senior official from either country. Saudi Arabia does not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.