Israeli planes 'may soon be allowed' into Saudi airspace as the two countries 'negotiate ties'

Saudi Arabia and Israel are on the path to normalising relations by negotiating ties, according to a report by British newspaper The Times.

According to the report, the negotiations will lead to a range of provisions for Israel, such as allowing Israeli businesses to operate in the Gulf Arab states, and letting El Al, the national airline, fly over Saudi airspace.

Palestinian officials are said to be anxious about the prospect of such negotiations, as it could potentially normalise Arab-Israeli relations without a coherent peace agreement.

However, the report also cited sources close to Saudi Arabia, saying that improved relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv are nothing more than words of sophistry from Washington.

Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Palestinians and Israelis are “are closer than ever before to an agreement” during a TV interview with Israeli Channel 2, amid an announcement that Israeli leader Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are set to meet for negotiations with US President Donald Trump in July.

He had also expressed hope that “moderate Arab countries” would be able to intervene in the discussions, guaranteeing Israel’s demands.