Israeli delegation makes first open visit to Saudi Arabia

Israeli delegation visits Riyadh for UNESCO meeting, marking first publicly announced visit to Saudi Arabia. Delegation travelled through Dubai, visas via UNESCO. Sign saying "Israel" drew stares from Saudis. Visit seen as result of Saudi Arabia's openness, not bilateral relations.

An Israeli delegation attended a UNESCO meeting in Riyadh on Monday, marking the country's first publicly announced visit to Saudi Arabia as speculation grows about a potential normalisation of ties.

The five-member delegation arrived on Sunday, an Israeli official told AFP, for the meeting to update UNESCO's world heritage list of cultural and historic sites.

"We are happy to be here — it's a good first step," said the official, who did not want to be named given the sensitivities of the visit, during the meeting.

"We thank UNESCO and the Saudi authorities."

The team travelled through Dubai, the official said, as there are no direct flights between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and arrived on Sunday.

They received their visas via UNESCO, the United Nations' educational, scientific and cultural organisation.

The delegation, including a security official, joined the UNESCO meeting on Monday, sitting behind a sign that said "Israel" on the front of their desk.