Israel on Monday launched a pilot project allowing Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to fly abroad from an Israeli airport in the southern Negev desert, rather than passing through neighboring Jordan.
Forty Palestinians boarded an Israeli carrier Arkia flight from Ramon Airport, located near the city of Eilat, to Larnaca, Cyprus, an Authority spokeswoman told AFP. Israeli airport.
A spokesman for Cogat, the branch of the Israeli Ministry of Defense responsible for Civil Affairs in the Palestinian Territories, confirmed that Palestinians were on board the flight which landed at 1:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT) in Larnaca.
Rise in travelers to Jordan
The more than 475,000 inhabitants of Israeli settlements in the West Bank can fly abroad through Tel Aviv airport, but not the Palestinians of this territory occupied since 1967 who, except special permits, cannot enter Israel.
They must pass through Jordan to get to Amman airport.
Last month, the country reported an "unprecedented rise in the number of travellers" at the Allenby crossing point between the West Bank and Jordan.
No information was immediately available on how the Palestinians got to Ramon airport, as well as on the next flights of this project.
In recent weeks, Israeli officials have discussed launching flights from Israel to Turkey for Palestinians in the West Bank.
The first of these flights was scheduled for Monday but the Israeli authorities announced its postponement on Sunday.
Rather than flying from Ramon Airport, located 180 km from the southern tip of the West Bank, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh recently called on Israel to reopen Jerusalem's old airport.
Airport deserted
Located near the Qalandia checkpoint in East Jerusalem, this airport was used by Palestinians until 1967 when the Israeli army took control of the eastern portion of the Holy City.
The Israelis continued to use this airport until the beginning of the second Intifada (Palestinian uprising, 2000-2005).
Since then, the airport has been deserted and Israeli officials have mentioned a project to transform it into an Israeli colony.
Monday's inaugural flight of Palestinians between Israel and Cyprus, in the absence of Turkey, comes the same day of an official visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the country where he is to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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