A plane carrying Israeli citizens, returning from Seychelles, encountered an electrical malfunction compelling an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Although diplomatic ties between the nations are absent, the stranded passengers were accommodated in Jeddah and subsequently repatriated to Tel Aviv. This incident drew praise from Israeli authorities for the cordial reception by Saudi officials, exhibiting a glimpse of cooperation amid ongoing efforts to establish formal relations.
The Air Seychelles flight, carrying 128 individuals, underwent an unscheduled landing due to technical glitches. Passengers recounted a tense interval as the aircraft emitted a pungent odor, leading to the pilot’s announcement of an emergency halt in Saudi Arabia, a country with no existing air links or diplomatic connections with Israel. The passengers, marooned on the tarmac, witnessed swift action from Saudi security forces, who escorted them to a local hotel.
Notably, FlightRadar24 data indicated that the diverted Airbus A320, designated as HM22, veered towards Jeddah from the Red Sea on Monday night. The airline’s response to queries remains unacknowledged.
A subsequent Air Seychelles A320 was dispatched from Dubai to retrieve the passengers and carry them onwards to Tel Aviv. The development emerges after Saudi Arabia’s 2022 decision to allow Israeli overflights during President Joe Biden’s visit.
While official relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia remain elusive, shared concerns about Iran’s influence have cultivated informal cooperation. President Biden’s endeavors to emulate the 2020 normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states underscore the potential for a transformative regional shift, although Saudi Arabia seeks guarantees and technology in return.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the incident, recognizing Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian response as a catalyst for improved relations. Although complexities persist, a normalization accord with Saudi Arabia could reshape geopolitical dynamics, though the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict casts a shadow over any swift diplomatic advancement.
With contributions from AP
