Direct flights between "Tel Aviv", Doha during World Cup
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Despite Qatar not formally normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation, Israelis will be able to fly directly to Doha during the World Cup 2022 events.
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A general view of the Al-Rayan Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
FIFA announced on Thursday that there will be direct charter flights between "Israel and" Qatar, two parties that do not have formal diplomatic ties, during the upcoming World Cup in Doha.
The agreement allowing holders of match tickets and a Hayya fan ID to board flights from "Tel Aviv's" Ben Gurion airport to Doha's Hamad International during the one-month event was reportedly negotiated by soccer's global governing body.
According to a separate statement from Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, an agreement to open "an Israeli office in Qatar to provide services to fans coming for the World Cup" was reached after months of negotiations.
Only special visas given for sporting events or conferences are often available to bearers of Israeli occupation passports to travel to Qatar. Between the two parties, there are currently no direct flights.
A source familiar with the deal, who declined to be named, told Reuters there were talks with Royal Jordanian Airlines to operate the World Cup charter flights.
Israeli media reported earlier that the occupation is set to sign an agreement with Qatar to establish a temporary office in Doha during the FIFA World Cup 2023 which will take place from December 20 to November 18.
Earlier in September, an Israeli official disclosed that the Israeli occupation and Qatar have discussed opening a "temporary" Israeli office in the country, and according to Israeli media, officials from the occupation visited Qatar to hold talks on the matter.
In late November, Qatar will host the first World Cup in the Middle East. Unlike its neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, Doha did not officially normalize ties with the Israeli occupation, but the announcement shows otherwise and may be a move toward normalization.
It's noteworthy that although "Israel" did not qualify for the cup, it announced last June that it had reached a deal allowing Israelis to obtain a visa to Qatar and attend the event.
