Hundreds of Israelis Denied Entry to Dubai over Visa Issue

Hundreds of Israelis were denied entry to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for several hours after being told there was a change in the visa regulations. The FlyDubai plane full of Israelis arrived in Dubai early on Monday morning, according to Israeli media reports. Upon arrival, the 200 Israelis were told that only those holding a second, non-Israeli passport, would be permitted to enter the country. Following negotiations between Israel’s foreign ministry and officials in the UAE, the travelers were permitted to enter at about 9:30 a.m., after filling out an e-visa form, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. Two other flights leaving later on Monday from Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport were delayed over the incident. The countries have not yet formalized a mutual visa waiver. Israel’s Cabinet approved a visa waiver with the UAE last month which is set to come into force this month. Travel, including direct flights, between Israel and the UAE began last month following the signing in September of the Abraham Accords, a normalization agreement between the two countries and between Israel and Bahrain.