Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) scheduled for Thursday will not occur for the time being.
Jordan was tough on allowing an Israeli plane through its airspace, according to the prime minister’s office. A new date will be set. It is also possible that Netanyahu’s wife Sara has been hospitalized with appendicitis.
The Jordanian refusal is said to be linked to a cancelled visit by Crown Prince Hussein to the Temple Mount and the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. According to Israel, that was scheduled for last Wednesday, but there was a conflict over the security agreements.
Jordan permitted the flight around noon on Thursday, but that was no reason for Netanyahu to board the plane.
It would be the first time that an Israeli Prime Minister has visited the Emirates. The two countries entered into diplomatic relations six months ago. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu is said to be meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A previously planned trip by Netanyahu to the UAE and Bahrain, with which diplomatic relations have also recently been established, was postponed last month due to the corona restrictions.