Israelis who took part in the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia pose in front of one of their two vehicles in Hail, Saudi Arabia, January 9, 2021. Picture taken January 9, 2021. REUTERS
Saudi Arabia allowed 10 to 15 Israelis into the country to participate in the Dakar Rally, some of them entering on the basis of their Israeli passports, Bloomberg news agency reported quoting the Israeli army radio.
According to the report, two Israeli teams participated in the race: a truck team competed under a US flag, and a vehicle team was registered as Belgian.
The off-road Dakar Rally ended on 15 January.
The report did not say how many participants entered on Israeli passports.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said last month the kingdom would only establish relations with Israel after the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved.
Since September, Israeli airlines have been allowed to cross through Saudi airspace on a regular basis, shattering a 72-year taboo.
Omer Pearl and driver Danny Pearl take a selfie with a flag before the begining of the Dakar Rally, in a hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia December 31, 2020. Picture taken December 31, 2020. Reuters
Driver Danny Pearl and co-driver Charly Gotlib, stand by their Lightweight Vehicle Prototype, as they take part in the Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia January 8, 2021.Reuters
Driver Danny Pearl and co-driver Charly Gotlib, stand by a map showing the route of the Dakar Rally, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia January 2, 2021. Reuters
A Lightweight Vehicles Prototype team, operated by Israelis, takes part in the Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia January 13, 2021. Reuters
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