New normalization deal? Qatar allows Israelis to attend World Cup
The Israeli occupation FM says an agreement to allow Israelis to attend the 2022 Qatar World Cup was reached with FIFA officials.
The Israeli occupation Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Israelis will be able to travel to Qatar to attend the 2022 World Cup games.
According to the Israeli Ministry, the shocking agreement was reached with FIFA officials following months of talks and "efforts" put by the ministries of Foreign, Security, and Sports despite the failure of the Israeli team to qualify for the championship.
Commenting on the announcement, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that “We are bringing forth another diplomatic achievement which will gladden the hearts of soccer fans."
On his part, the Israeli occupation Security Minister Benny Gantz welcomed "the coordination that was achieved for the benefit of sports fans in Israel.”
“Qatar is a country with international importance, contributing to maintaining stability in our region,” Gantz said.
Similarly, the Israeli Sports Minister Chili Tropper deemed the agreement as “an important diplomatic and sports-related message. Many sports-loving Israelis are happy today.”
Qatar World Cup officials have stressed that all people are welcome to attend the huge sports events, "Israel" Hayom mentioned.
It is noteworthy that in order to be granted entry to Qatar for watching the World Cup, each person will be required to obtain a fan ID.
In the meantime, "Efforts continue on working out how Israelis will be able to fly to Qatar," Haaretz noted.
In late November, Qatar will host the first World Cup in the Middle East. Unlike neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, Doha did not officially normalize ties with the Israeli occupation, but the recent shocking announcement shows otherwise and might pave the way for another Arab state into a shameful normalization.