Saudi Arabia bars Palestinians from Hajj and Umrah

Tel Aviv: Saudi Arabia has barred over one and a half million Palestinian citizens of Israel from travelling on temporary Jordanian passports to perform the Islamic pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah in the holy city of Makkah.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s new policy to stop issuing visas for Hajj and Umrah to Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, East Jerusalem, and those living in Israel, Saudi Arabia has made the policy, which became effective on 12 September.

Palestinians who have no access to any other form of travel document allowing them to go to Saudi Arabia will be affected by the policy. The move will affect 2.94 million Palestinians in total across these states. Millions of Muslims travel each year on the pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madina.