FIFA has met with representatives from FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC and Israel’s Foreign and Sport ministries to finalize arrangements that will allow Israelis and Palestinians to attend matches in the Gulf state beginning on Nov. 20.
The meeting was held in accordance with Qatar’s pledge to meet FIFA’s hosting requirements, FIFA announced on Thursday.
“Direct charter flights will be temporarily operated between Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Hamad International Airport in Doha by an airline with existing landing rights in Qatar for the duration of the FIFA World Cup, subject to Israel’s security requirements and operational capabilities,” stated FIFA.
Consular services for Israeli citizens will be provided in collaboration with the Israeli Foreign Ministry through a designated privately run international travel agency based in Doha.
Palestinians will be able to seek consular assistance at the PLO embassy in Doha.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid said on Thursday, “This is great news for football fans and for all Israelis. After hard work over the course of many months, we have arranged for Israeli citizens to be able to fly to the World Cup in Qatar on direct flights, and the opening of an Israeli office in Qatar to provide services to fans coming for the World Cup.”
