PM Lapid on Saudi Decision to Open Airspace to Israeli Airlines

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

15.07.2022

Prime Minister Yair Lapid, this morning:

"After a long road of intense and covert diplomacy with Saudi Arabia and the United States, today we have good news. The Saudi aviation authorities have announced that they will be opening Saudi airspace to Israeli airlines.

This decision was preceded by the signing of the 'Jerusalem Declaration', deepening America's commitment to Israel's security, the fight against the Iranian nuclear program and the advancing of normalization initiatives of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Summit.

I would like to thank the President of the United States, Joe Biden, for a visit that moved our entire country and for his commitment to Israel's military and diplomatic strength. I wish him success at the Jeddah Summit.

I thank the Saudi leadership for the opening of Saudi airspace. This is only the first step. We will continue working with necessary caution, for the sake of Israel's economy, security and the good of our citizens."