A Saudi who allegedly helped a non-Muslim enter the holy city of Mecca has been arrested, police in the kingdom said on Friday, following an online backlash against an Israeli journalist.
Journalist, Gil Tamri of Israel channel 13posted a video on Twitter on Monday of non-Muslims entering Mecca in defiance of the ban.
A police spokesman said in remarks reported by the officer that the Mecca Regional Police had “referred a civilian” to prosecutors for alleged involvement in “transferring and facilitating the entry of a (non-Muslim) journalist”. . Saudi Press Agency,
Spa The journalist did not name but said he is a US citizen, whose case has also been referred to prosecutors to “take necessary procedures against him in accordance with applicable laws”.
Despite increased trade and security links behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel and has not joined 2020 US-brokered Abraham Agreement This saw the Jewish state establish ties with the kingdom’s two neighbors, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
In her nearly 10-minute clip, Tamri visits Mount Arafat, where pilgrims gather to pray each year during the high point of the Hajj pilgrimage.
He clarifies that he knows what he is doing is illegal, but says he wants to “show a place that is very important to our Muslim brothers and sisters”.
Tamri’s justification and subsequent apology did little to quell the angry reactions of Saudi social media.
US President Joe Biden after controversy meeting Last week for both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Israel distances itself from TV report
On Wednesday, an Israeli minister Condemned it Tamri’s report was “stupid and harmful” to Israel-Gulf relations.
Israel’s Minister of Regional Cooperation, Esavi Fries, who is Muslim, told the public broadcaster, “I’m sorry (but) it was a stupid thing to be proud of.” Able to,
“It was irresponsible and harmful to circulate this report just for ratings.”
Freeze said the report hurt US-encouraged efforts to gradually move Israel and Saudi Arabia toward more normal relations.
Tamri was in Jeddah to cover the visit of US President Joe Biden. He later apologized for his act, saying that he did not intend to hurt Muslims.
He wrote in English on Twitter, “If anyone has been hurt by this video, I deeply apologize.”