Millions of Muslims are currently in Mecca to fulfill one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, the hajj, as part of the Eid al-Adha celebration. Arab Israelis also participate in this rite, but their status is unique, which complicates the process of their arrival in the Islamic holy city. Since Saudi Arabia does not recognize the State of Israel, the entry of these pilgrims is not possible with an Israeli passport, and so the arrangements involved in their arrival are up to the goodwill of Jordan.
However, there has been a significant change this year. For the first time, it has become possible for the faithful from Israel to fly from Ben Gurion Airport to Jeddah via Jordan. All in all, 770 pilgrims were allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia on this route — about a third of the 2014 quota of 3,651 set by Saudi authorities for Arab Israelis.
