Saudi allows Air India overflights to Israel, says Netanyahu

Monitoring Desk

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday Saudi Arabia had granted permission to an Indian airline to fly through Saudi airspace en route to Israel.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, Netanyahu said Air India flights will fly over Saudi territory on its routes to and from Tel Aviv.

There was no confirmation from either Riyadh or Air India.

In January, Israeli daily Haaretz said that Saudi authorities had allowed the Indian flag carrier to hold direct flights to Israel through Saudi airspace for the first time.

Saudi authorities, however, swiftly denied the claim.

For 70 years, Saudi airspace has remained closed to Israeli aircraft and to all flights bound for the self-proclaimed Jewish state. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled Monday he might visit Jerusalem to mark the opening of the U.S. embassy there in May.

“I may. I may,” Trump said in response to questions by a reporter during brief remarks at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If I can, I will.”

The U.S. accelerated the planned move of its diplomatic headquarters from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem last month, hoping to hold the ceremonial opening on the same day Israel celebrates its 70th anniversary May 14.

The relocation was originally planned to be completed by the end of 2019.

Trump said the Palestin-ians want to return to the bargaining table “very badly”, adding “we have a shot” at brokering a peace deal.

Netanyahu thanked Trump for taking action on Jerusalem. “This will be remembered by our people through the ages. Others talked about it. You did it,” he said.

He also warned Iran is the U.S.’s and Israel’s greatest security challenge.

“Iran has not given up its nuclear ambitions. It came out of this nuclear deal emboldened, enriched. It is practicing aggression everywhere, including on our own borders,” Netanyahu said. “Iran must be stopped. That is our common challenge.”AA