Saudi man accused of helping Israeli-Jewish journalist sneak into Mecca arrested
KNT Web Desk
A Saudi man accused of helping an Israeli-Jewish journalist sneak into Mecca has been arrested, police say.
An Israeli-Jewish reporter snuck into Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, and produced a 10-minute report.
Saudi Arabia bans non-Muslims from entering the city.
Police in Saudi Arabia said they arrested a man who helped an Israeli-Jewish reporter sneak into Mecca, The Associated Press reported.
Earlier this week, Gil Tamary, a reporter for Israel’s Channel 13 posted a video of him sneaking into the holy city. Saudi Arabia only allows Muslims to enter the city.
Tamary can be seen in the 10-minute video taking a taxi and driving past the Grand Mosque, home of the Kaaba, a site where Muslims across the world pray. He was accompanied by a tour guide, whose face was blurred.
“I was here in Mecca. A dream came true,” Tamary said.
The reporter also whispered in Hebrew and occasionally switched to English so he wouldn’t get caught, Al Jazeera reported.
The AP reported that the video prompted backlash from Muslims and Saudis, who felt Tamary’s actions disrepected the sanctity of Mecca.
The backlash prompted police to arrest an unidentified Saudi man who they say helped Tamary.
The reporter has since left Saudi Arabia.
