RIYADH: Following online criticism of an Israeli journalist, a Saudi who is accused of assisting a non-Muslim in entering the holy city of Makkah has been detained, the kingdom's authorities announced on Friday.
In violation of a restriction on non-Muslims, the journalist Gil Tamary of Israel's Channel 13 posted a video to Twitter on Monday showing himself smuggling into Makkah, the holiest city in Islam.
According to a police spokeswoman quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency, the Makkah regional police have "referred a citizen" to prosecutors for alleged involvement in "transferring and aiding the arrival of a (non-Muslim) journalist."
The journalist, who is an American citizen, has also had his case forwarded to prosecutors so they can "take the required proceedings against him in accordance with the applied laws," according to SPA, which did not give the journalist's identity.
The Makkah Police spokesperson emphasised that anyone entering the kingdom must respect the laws and follow their requirements, particularly with regard to the Two Holy Mosques and sacred sites. Any violation of this kind is regarded as a crime that will not be tolerated, and penalties will be applied to its perpetrators in accordance with the applicable laws, the spokesperson said.
Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and did not sign the 2020 Abraham Accords, which were mediated by the US and saw the Jewish state forge connections with two of the kingdom's neighbours, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, despite developing behind-the-scenes business and security contacts.
In his about ten-minute video, Tamary travels to Mount Arafat, where robed Muslim pilgrims assemble each year to pray at the culmination of the Hajj trip.
He states unequivocally that he is aware his actions are forbidden, but yet claims he did it to highlight "a site that is so significant to our Muslim brothers and sisters."
Tamary's defence and later apologies failed to appease angry Saudi online comments.
Following US Vice President Joe Biden's trips to Saudi Arabia and Israel last week, there was uproar.
