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RIYADH: A Saudi who allegedly helped a non-Muslim enter the holy metropolis of Makkah has been arrested, police within the kingdom mentioned on Friday, after on-line backlash in opposition to an Israeli journalist.
The journalist, Gil Tamary of Israel’s Channel 13, on Monday posted to Twitter video of himself sneaking into Makkah, Islam’s holiest metropolis, in defiance of a ban on non-Muslims.
Makkah regional police have “referred a citizen” to prosecutors for alleged complicity in “transferring and facilitating the entry of a (non-Muslim) journalist”, a police spokesperson mentioned in feedback reported by the official Saudi Press Company.
SPA didn’t title the journalist however mentioned he’s an American citizen, whose case has additionally been referred to prosecutors “to take the mandatory procedures in opposition to him in accordance with the utilized legal guidelines”.
The spokesperson for the Makkah Police burdened that each one these coming to the dominion should respect the legal guidelines and abide by their necessities, particularly with regard to the Two Holy Mosques and holy websites, and that any violation of this type is taken into account a criminal offense that won’t be tolerated and penalties will probably be utilized to its perpetrators primarily based on the related rules.
Regardless of rising behind-the-scenes enterprise and safety contacts, Saudi Arabia doesn’t recognise Israel and didn’t be part of the 2020 US-brokered Abraham Accords that noticed the Jewish state set up ties with two of the dominion’s neighbours, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
In his roughly 10-minute clip, Tamary visits Mount Arafat, the place robed Muslim pilgrims collect to hope through the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage every year.
He makes clear he is aware of that what he’s doing is outlawed however says he needed to showcase “a spot that’s so vital to our Muslim brothers and sisters”.
Tamary’s justification, and subsequent apology, did little to quiet offended Saudi social media responses.
The controversy adopted US President Joe Biden’s go to to each Israel and Saudi Arabia final week.
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