An Israeli reporter slipped into the Islamic holy city of Mecca during a trip to Saudi Arabia, sparking controversy on social media and illustrating the sensitivities of closer ties between the two countries.
The journalist for Israel’s Channel 13 TV news, Gil Tamary, published a video of himself on a drive through Mecca, despite rules forbidding entry to non-Muslims enforced by a system of checkpoints. He also climbed Mount Arafat, a sacred site where Muslims gather during the hajj pilgrimage. His trip didn’t appear to be authorized or sanctioned by Saudi authorities, and his report was published after he returned to Israel.
Saudi Arabia and Israel have no diplomatic relations, but ties have been gradually improving and several Israeli journalists entered the kingdom using foreign passports during U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit last week.
