Qatar mentioned flights are for World Cup followers and its place on Israel stays unchanged as each international locations haven’t any ties.
The primary direct business flight between Israel and Qatar landed in Doha forward of the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, regardless of there being no diplomatic relations between the international locations.
Worldwide soccer’s governing physique FIFA mentioned on November 10 that the particular direct flights had been confirmed, and that Cyprus-based Tus Airways might be working them during the month-long match.
On Sunday, the top of Israel’s Public Diplomacy Directorate, Lior Haiat, mentioned at Ben Gurion Airport close to Tel Aviv that “historical past has been made” with the “first direct flight from Tel Aviv to Doha”.
First ever direct business flight between Israel and Qatar simply departed – taking followers to #WorldCup2022 #QatarWorldCup2022
it is Cypriot Tus Airways 5b-ddl pic.twitter.com/tXpNpVCa6U
— avi scharf (@avischarf) November 20, 2022
FIFA claimed that “Palestinian ticket holders and media” could be “capable of journey on these chartered flights with no restrictions”. Nevertheless it was not instantly clear to what extent Palestinian residents of the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution or blockaded Gaza Strip would have entry to the constitution.
The association could be topic “to Israel’s safety necessities”, FIFA mentioned.
Palestinian residents, each within the West Financial institution and in Gaza, face extreme challenges in travelling overseas. Palestinians within the West Financial institution typically journey from Jordan as entry to Ben Gurion Airport is strictly restricted. These in Gaza wouldn’t have entry to Israel or its airport, with very uncommon exceptions.
One of many passengers, Hadar Segal, 35, mentioned that the flight was a “particular and historic factor”.
He deliberate to observe England play Israel’s foe Iran, in addition to the match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia, one other Arab nation that doesn’t recognise Israel.
Israeli passport holders can normally solely journey to Qatar on particular visas issued for sports activities fixtures or conferences. There are not any present direct flights between the 2 international locations.
Qatar has emphasised that its stance on normalising relations with Israel stays unchanged. It’s linked to Palestinian statehood that’s achieved by way of a two-state answer in accordance with the related United Nations Safety Council resolutions.
Its neighbours, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, established diplomatic ties with Israel beneath United States-brokered pacts in 2020.