Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 18, 2022
In first, Israeli reporter visits Muslim holy city of Mecca

Channel 13's Gil Tamary in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the Grand Mosque in the background from footage broadcast on July 18, 2022. (Screen capture/ Channel 13)
An Israeli reporter visits the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Channel 13’s Gil Tamari broadcasts film of him driving into the city, even though the Saudi government bans all non-Muslims from entering.
Tamari shows himself driving under the iconic gates of the city and past the Grand Mosque that houses the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.
The face of his driver is blurred.
Several Israeli journalists traveled to Saudi Arabia this week to cover the visit of US President Joe Biden, amid speculation that Israel and Saudi Arabia are taking steps toward normalization.