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Israel-Saudi Arabia relations
A Danish supporter cheers ahead of the World Cup qualifying play off second leg soccer match between Ireland and Denmark at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
June 15, 2018, 7:30 am
World Cup: Why this Israeli is backing Iran, a little, and Denmark, all the way
This article deals with such unrelated matters as the Holocaust and soccer skills. It is largely light-hearted, but has some bite. If you're easily infuriated, don't read it
By David Horovitz
Supporters of Saudi Arabia's national football team pose as they watch the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia in the fan zone near the main building of the Moscow State University in Moscow on June 14, 2018. (AFP Photo/Maxim Zmeyev)
June 15, 2018, 4:06 am
After Israel wishes World Cup team luck, Saudi fans imagine playing Jewish state
As soccer tournament opens, kingdom's supporters tell Israeli reporter that politics should stay out of sports
By TOI staff
US President Donald Trump, left, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pose for a photograph during a joint press conference at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on May 23, 2017. (AFP/Mandel Ngan)
June 11, 2018, 8:42 pm
As Trump-Abbas ties soured, a bad phone line epitomized their broken connection
New Yorker article on interactions between the US, Israel, PA and Gulf states describes a critical call curtailed by tech issues; also reveals Israel-UAE link dating to Clinton era
By TOI staff
In this photo provided by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud speaks during a signing ceremony at the United Nations, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations via AP)
May 26, 2018, 7:39 pm
In Saudi media, a tug of war over relations with Israel
Government outlets loyal to reformist crown prince Mohammed bin Salman paint a rosy picture of Israeli ties, but despite Iranian threat many citizens use Twitter to loudly disagree
By Aaron Boxerman
Illustrative: An interfaith group from the Gulf state of Bahrain attends Hanukkah candle lighting in Jerusalem, December 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
May 16, 2018, 2:48 pm
Gulf Arab states rebuke Israel, but alliances inch closer
Though Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE condemned Jerusalem for deadly Gaza clashes, relations have been quietly warming up
By Agencies and TOI staff
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz attends the 29th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. (AFP)
May 15, 2018, 7:44 pm
In rare rebuff of Trump, Saudis reject US embassy transfer to Jerusalem
After remaining mum on issue throughout day of opening ceremony, Riyadh breaks its silence, repeats condemnation of Gaza deaths
By AFP and TOI staff
Illustrative photo of the Riyadh skyline in Saudi Arabia. (Screen capture/YouTube)
April 30, 2018, 5:04 pm
Saudi Arabia begins trial of two alleged Israeli spies
Two men accused of entering kingdom with fake Jordanian passports, gathering information for Mossad and plotting terror attack
By TOI staff
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, on April 12, 2018. (Flash90)
April 26, 2018, 1:18 pm
Liberman to Saudi-owned paper: If Iran strikes Tel Aviv, we’ll strike Tehran
Defense chief supports Trump pulling out of nuclear accord, says it will lead to a collapse of the Iranian economy and potentially an end to the regime
By Judah Ari Gross
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Pentagon in Washington, March 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
April 4, 2018, 1:30 pm
Just how groundbreaking was the Saudi crown prince’s comment on Israel?
While some fete MBS's affirmation of Israelis' 'right to have their own land' as unprecedented, experts note that normalization is still far off
By Raphael Ahren
El Al new aircraft Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives for a welcome ceremony after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on August 23, 2017. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
March 28, 2018, 11:31 am
El Al sues Israeli government over new Air India route
Allowing foreign carrier to cross Saudi Arabia en route to Israel while Israeli carrier cannot violates equality and numerous state decisions, airline argues in High Court petition
By Raphael Ahren
A Boeing 787 flight number AI139 of Indian national carrier Air India, from New Delhi, performs maneuvers on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, on March 22, 2018 after using Saudi airspace for the first time. (AFP PHOTO/JACK GUEZ)
March 26, 2018, 12:36 pm
As Israel fetes Air India flight over Saudi airspace, El Al cries foul
Top airline official fumes over 'discrimination,' says government granting foreign competitors an unfair advantage may spell economic hardship for Israel's national carrier
By Raphael Ahren
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the weekly cabinet meeting at the PM's office in Jerusalem, on March 25, 2018. (Marc Israel Sellem/POOL)
March 25, 2018, 3:31 pm
Netanyahu eyes Mumbai flights after Saudi Arabia opens airspace
Days after Air India begins more direct route from Delhi to Israel, PM calls for expanding flights to second Indian city
By AFP
Screen capture from video of Saudi Arabian journalist Loay al-Shareef speaking in Hebrew in a message to Israelis about his country's nuclear ambitions. (Facebook)
March 22, 2018, 8:48 pm
Don’t worry about us having nukes, Saudi journalist tells Israelis, in Hebrew
Loay al-Shareef, reportedly close to royal family, posts video message assuring Jewish people that Saudi Arabia poses no threat, is only interested in self-defense
By Stuart Winer and TOI staff
A Boeing 787 flight number AI139 of Indian national carrier Air India, from New Delhi, performs maneuvers on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, on March 22, 2018 after using Saudi airspace for the first time. (AFP PHOTO/JACK GUEZ)
March 22, 2018, 7:55 pm
In world first, Air India crosses Saudi airspace to Israel
First flight lands at Ben Gurion Thursday night, in sign of warming relations with Arab nations that were once avowed enemies
By Stephen WEIZMAN
Illustrative: Air India planes parked on the tarmac at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, on May 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
March 16, 2018, 7:57 pm
Air India confirms its Israel flights over Saudi Arabia will start next week
Thrice-weekly flights starting March 22 will take seven hours, shaving nearly 2 hours off journey; El Al is demanding approval as well
By AFP and Sue Surkes
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