Haim Katz
Tourism Minister Haim Katz makes first official visit by an Israeli Cabinet member to the Muslim country.
The seven-year initiative declares hard-hit areas national priority zones and expands the Tekuma Directorate to lead reconstruction.
The Tourism Ministry’s support is going to 55 projects, including infrastructure, renovations, parks and attractions.
The Swords of Iron War disrupted the Israel tourism industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Among the participants and onlookers were the families and friends of some 136 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
“We’re making the crack in the wall; after us people will blow up the wall,” says Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz of his historic visit to the kingdom.
“There is a delegation here in the country for the first time. I hope they were received well. Welcome,” said Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb.
The delegation is in Riyadh for a U.N. World Tourism Organization conference.
A total of 916,000 foreigners have visited since the first of January.
“The national mission to exercise our historic right in the land of our ancestors may be in jeopardy,” says Land of Israel Caucus chairman Haim Katz.
Facing charges of fraud and breach of trust, Haim Katz denies any wrongdoing, saying all his official dealings were “in the interest of the public.”