JERUSALEM: Israel offered its congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the kingdom’s national day on Saturday as the two countries move closer towards a possible normalisation of ties.

“We offer our sincere congratulations and blessings to the king, government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 93rd national day,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement.

“May God bring you good and blessings... with our wishes that an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and good neighbourliness will prevail,” it added in the statement on its Arabic-language account on X, formerly Twitter.

A foreign ministry spokesman did not immediately respond when asked whether it was the first time Israel had offered its congratulations on Saudi national day.

Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023