Saudi Arabian Airlines Defends Ban On Israeli and Jewish Passengers

Apparently neither Israelis NOR Jews are allowed to fly on Saudi Arabian Airlines. According to Khalid al-Melhem, director general of the airline, it's because Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, and if a passenger happened to get stuck in Saudi Arabia in transit there would be major trouble.

“If there is an absence of political relations between [Saudi Arabia] and any other country, we will not allow that country’s citizens into the kingdom,” Melhem told Saudi’s Al-Watan newspaper.

Bill de Blasio, NY public advocate, responded with:

“No city in the world has closer ties to Israel than we do, and yet Israeli citizens are being discriminated against right here at JFK [airport]. It’s not only illegal; it’s an affront to who we are."

And he promised that if the Saudi airline doesn't change its ban against Israeli travelers, or comply with international aviation laws that bar discrimination,

“[he]...will act to make sure they’re excluded from United States airports, starting with JFK."

“We won’t stop with just exposing these practices. We’ll pursue this with authorities in Albany and in Washington until Israeli nationals’ rights are respected.”

Just imagine if an airline refused to allow Muslims on board.

Source: Al Arabiya