The visit of Haim Katz in Riyadh is the latest incremental step that compliments the growing anticipation that Israel and Saudi Arabia could reach a normalisation agreement in the next few months.

Israel’s Tourism Minister Haim Katz became Tuesday the first Israeli minister to formally visit Saudi Arabia.

He leads an Israeli delegation that is attending the conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

Katz confirmed that his trip had been authorised by the Prime Minister. He told Kan News, “the Prime Minister understands that tourism is a bridge to peace, a bridge to economy, that dialogue does that.”

The minister told Israeli media, “after 48 years, Israel was chosen to lead a strategic delegation. We were warmly received in Riyadh by officials. I estimate that we will meet many delegations at the conference, those with whom we have relations, and, I estimate, also with those with who we don’t really.”

The visit of an Israeli minister in the Saudi capital is the latest incremental step that compliments the growing anticipation that Israel and Saudi Arabia could reach a normalisation agreement in the next few months. Last week, in an interview with Fox News, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that “every day we get closer” to normalisation.

Next week Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is also expected to visit Saudi Arabia with a small delegation to attend the Universal Postal Union’s 2023 Extraordinary Congress. David Bitan, also a Likud member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament and head of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, is due to join the visit.