Israeli, Palestinian football fans to board same flights to World Cup in Qatar: FIFA

JERUSALEM, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli and Palestinian football fans will board the same chartered flights from Israeli city of Tel Aviv to the Qatari capital of Doha for the World Cup, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) said on Thursday.

It will be the first direct flights connecting Israel and Qatar, which have not yet established diplomatic ties. Israeli media have reported that the flights will make a "diplomatic layover" in Cyprus.

The FIFA said in a statement that consular services for Israelis will be provided in coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs through an international travel company based in Doha, while Palestinians will receive consular services through the Palestinian embassy.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed the move, calling it "great news for Israelis and football fans everywhere."

An Israeli office will be opened in Qatar to receive fans, he added.

Israel announced in June its citizens with a World Cup ticket could apply for a fan ID, which would serve as an entry visa to Qatar during the football extravaganza which will be held from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.