Israel-UAE visa-free travel to begin next week
Bilateral agreement has been in the works since January, but delayed due COVID restrictions
Beginning on Oct. 10, Israelis and Emiratis will be able to travel visa free to each other’s countries.
Tourists from the UAE will need proof of vaccination, but it was unclear whether Israelis would also have to show their vaccine papers in order to enter the Gulf country. While Israelis may not have to show proof of vaccination, only those who have received three doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be exempt from quarantine upon return to Israel.
An agreement on visa-free travel has been in the works since January, however it has been delayed due to the coronavirus.
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked made the announcement while on a trip to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. Shaked met with her Emirati counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose responsibilities also include homeland security, on her first official trip as interior minister.
"Today, I experienced what real peace is. The government with its exceptional hospitality has made it clear that a real partnership has been forged between the countries," she said.
She also praised the capital, Abu Dhabi, as “one of the safest cities in the world.”
“And we have a lot to learn from the local police,” Shaked added. “It’s a smart city, with a network of cameras, and with various applications, they managed to reduce crime and traffic accidents to a minimum.”
Shaked will visit the Israel Pavilion at the Dubai Expo while there.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
