The two countries are also discussing establishing direct flights from Israel to Jeddah for next year's Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage. These small steps are important in fostering a different regional environment in the Middle East, said Brian Katulis, senior fellow and vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute.
"One that moves beyond the wars, conflict resolution and peacemaking phase and cracks open the door to a new, not yet fully realized phase: one of greater regional integration and normalization," Katulis told VOA.