Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid thanked Saudi Arabia for opening its airspace, stressing that it will continue to work “for the sake of the Israeli economy, its security and the interests of our citizens.”

He stated at a press conference that “this decision preceded the signing of the ‘Jerusalem Declaration’ strengthening America’s commitment to Israel’s security, combating the Iranian nuclear program and advancing normalization initiatives in the Ibrahim Accords and the Negev Summit” and thanked U.S. President Joe Biden “for a visit that shook our entire country and for his commitment to Israel’s military and diplomatic strength, and I wish him well at the Jeddah summit.”

In turn, Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli welcomed the decision of Saudi Arabia to lift restrictions imposed on all airlines using its airspace, considering this “an important step that will strengthen relations between Israel and the countries of the Middle East and significantly reduce flight times.” and lower prices.