Qatar is currently hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off yesterday. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how there would be flights between Israel and Qatar, though they’d need to have a “diplomatic” layover. Well, the first flight between the two countries just operated, and surprisingly it was nonstop.
In this post:
Israelis welcome in Qatar for World Cup (sort of)
Israel’s relations with many Gulf countries have improved considerably in recent years. For example, the country now has diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, and we’re seeing a huge number of nonstop flights between the two countries.
Unfortunately Israel and Qatar don’t have diplomatic relations, as nothing has changed there in recent years. This means that there are ordinarily no nonstop flights between the two countries, and on top of that ordinarily Israeli passports can’t be used to enter the country.
On the surface this would of course present a major challenge for the World Cup, which is all about welcoming people from around the globe. During the World Cup, Qatar is for the first time admitting those with Israeli passports, in conjunction with World Cup tickets. This policy is expected to only last during the World Cup, so don’t expect relations to warm up in the long-run, at least as of now.
I’d say that Qatar is “welcoming” Israelis, but that’s only sort of true. Qatar is reportedly not allowing any cooked kosher food in the country, and also isn’t allowing public prayer for Jews. Oy.
First nonstop flight operates between Israel & Qatar
A couple of weeks ago, Cyprus-based TUS Airways had received permission to operate World Cup flights between Israel and Qatar… with a catch. The airline reportedly wasn’t supposed to be allowed to operate nonstop flights from Israel to Qatar, but rather could only operate “direct” flights.
TUS Air had received permission to fly from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Doha (DOH), but reportedly at the time only if a “diplomatic layover” was made in Larnaca (LCA). It would’ve been the same plane, the same crew, and the same people, it would have just taken significantly longer. The flight from Tel Aviv to Larnaca was expected to take 50 minutes, while the flight from Larnaca to Doha was expected to take 3.5 hours, not including layover time.
There’s a positive update there. The first flight operated yesterday, and as it turns out, it was able to operate nonstop. TUS Air flight 1162 operated from Tel Aviv to Doha, and the journey took just 2hr25min, way shorter than planned. The flight was even over Saudi Arabian airspace for most of the journey — how cool! Since it happened once, I imagine all the service will be able to operate without the stop.
The flights are expected to operate from November 20 through December 15, 2022, and fares start at $555. The flights can’t be booked directly with the airline, but rather have to be booked through a travel agency.
Bottom line
Yesterday the first nonstop flight operated from Israel to Qatar. Specifically, TUS Air operated a flight to get football fans to the World Cup. Initially the plan was for the flight to have a “diplomatic layover” as a technicality, but it seems that both sides could agree on the flight operating nonstop.
I’d say that’s fantastic progress, especially with the flight using Saudi Arabian airspace. Then again, when many of these passengers land in Qatar, they aren’t allowed to pray in public, and can’t even have cooked kosher food.
What do you make of this TUS Air flight between Israel and Qatar?
The amount of misinformation and false reporting regarding Qatar has been insane.
Another Israeli newspaper came out and said that the report of kosher being banned is false.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/world-cup/1669031811-world-cup-religious-jews-to-get-kosher-food-in-qatar
This is fitting with current trends. Obviously the very religions or strict will have issues, but things are changing.
My BIL is an Israeli, originally from Tel Aviv. For years, the UAE and Israel were icy, but he said in the last few years, his buddies back home go to Dubai and Abu Dhabi all the time. And a number of them are fairly observant and kosher.
Surprised that there is not a way around this such as Americans going to Cuba, etc.
Cooked Kosher food is not banned in Qatar, the service provider just said that the menu will be expanded when there is sufficient demand
https://twitter.com/mchitrik/status/1594817062286905345
“We’re taking baby steps, who would have dreamt that there would be kosher bagels in Qatar?" said Rabbi Marc Schneier, adding that Qataris “have absolutely no problem with any type of kosher food.”
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-722982
Article today from JPost
Also of note that QR has always offered kosher meals.
Cooked Kosher food is not banned in Qatar, the service provider just said that the menu will be expanded when there is sufficient demand
https://twitter.com/mchitrik/status/1594817062286905345
“We’re taking baby steps, who would have dreamt that there would be kosher bagels in Qatar?" said Rabbi Marc Schneier, adding that Qataris “have absolutely no problem with any type of kosher food.”
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-722982
Article today from JPost
Also of note that QR has always offered kosher meals.
Another example of a lack of research by the person who wrote the article
The only difference between Kosher and Halal is the spelling. Historically everything in the region dates back to the same beginnings including the old testament.
Food is no different. When my Muslim associates studied in the US they ate at Kosher restaurants. Many beliefs that enter religion are actually based on good practices, like the Catholic "fish on Friday" 'rule'.
Absolutely NOT true.
For the most part, “halal” is a subset of “kosher” in terms of requirements for food preparation and there are some Muslims who accept kosher cert. Much of what is permitted as halal is not at all kosher, for example, shellfish and mixing of dairy and meat products in the same meal.
I know of some Muslims who accept kosher certification as sufficient for halal, but the opposite is certain not the case.
Absolutely NOT true.
If you compare Kosher and Halal is different spelling. Then it's the same comparison of a well regulated militia is anyone who wants a gun, and people of Jan 6 is for the security of the free state.
Origins are good, but faith twisted each beyond spelling.
Sir, this is a Wendy's...
Azarmarall, there are major differences between kosher and halal and while it’s usually acceptable to for Muslims to eat kosher, the opposite isn’t true. Outside of the prayer and what Muslims see as a continuity of the revelation, kosher is far stricter than halal. For example
- it is not possible to mix dairy and meat (you have to wait 4 hrs between dairy and meat products) while it is allowed for Muslims (for...
Azarmarall, there are major differences between kosher and halal and while it’s usually acceptable to for Muslims to eat kosher, the opposite isn’t true. Outside of the prayer and what Muslims see as a continuity of the revelation, kosher is far stricter than halal. For example
- it is not possible to mix dairy and meat (you have to wait 4 hrs between dairy and meat products) while it is allowed for Muslims (for example if dairy and meat products are prepared in the same kitchen it is not kosher hence why kosher restaurants are either dairy or meat ones). That is why you have so many vegan restaurant in Israel (no risk of mixing meat and dairy as without both).You can have an halal cheeseburger, while you can’t have a kosher one.
- seafood is halal while it is not kosher and even contacts for example of plate or knife in the kitchen makes it not kosher
- different aliments are only kosher at some period of the year especially cereals and gluten
While these examples show kosher is stricture it also, On the other hand, it is permitted to drink kosher alcohol such as meat cooked in kosher wine (not ´normal’ wine though).
So it’s not possible for Jews respecting kosher to eat halal :/
This is just so beyond wrong. Google is your friend, use it!
https://www.culinaryschools.org/international/halal-vs-kosher/#context/api/listings/prefilter
The issue is not if Kosher and Halal are the same or different. The issue is that Kosher food and Jewish prayer is specifically banned in an event that should be celebrating world inclusiveness. It is just one example, as are the treatment of LGTBQ+, migrant worker and countless other basic human rights violations. FIFA should be picking World Cup locations where ALL people are welcome. I can't imagine what the reason$ were for picking Qatar.
FIFA had no problem going to Argentina in 1978 either
Russia 4 years ago,
Going to the USA in 4 years from now. Will there be a reinstated “Muslim ban” after next presidential election? What to do in that case..
World Cup and Olympics both have been political from day 1, hello 1980s Olympics…
The new Netflix doco FIFA uncovered pretty much shoes systemic corruption and Qatar should have never got the World Cup.
It may have something to do due to your Apartheid ways in Israel. All you have to do is read yahoo or Israeli Newspaper Haaretz. It will tell you what the Israeli Settlers from NY & L.A are doing in Occupied Territories.
“Kosher” and “Halal” are definitely NOT the same. The requirements for Halal are a subset of Kosher meaning that quite often, Moslems will accept Kosher certification as sufficient.
However, there are requirements for Kosher that not requirements of Halal. These include (1) no shellfish, crustaceans, or amphibians and (2) no mixing of dairy and meat.
Excellent news. Positive interactions and repeat exposure are how people stop being dicks to different groups of people. Sure, this is limited - but it is a huge advance over the status quo, and that’s what matters.
Hope my brothers in Qatar find what to eat