Haaretz: Tunis facilitates the entry of Israelis

The Israeli daily Haaretz said yesterday that the Tunisian president Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali ordered the facilitation of the measures provided for the entry of Israelis wishing to visit Tunisia. The Israeli daily said that this decision was taken at a request by the Grater Rabbi in France Youssef Setroiuk and the Jewish- French businessman Pierre Beisnano.

Haartez said that the two men visited Tunisia recently and met with with President Ben Ali. The paper quoted Beisnano as saying that President Ben Ali responded to their request and notified them that as from now those who carry Israeli passports will not be asked to leave their passports upon entering the country as it is the case, and will be treated like other foreigners.

Haaretz indicated that there are now no diplomatic relations between Israel and Tunisia and no direct air flights. The Israelis wishing to visit Tunisia can ask for entry visas from the Tunisian embassies all over the world.

The paper said that after Ben Ali's meeting with each of Setrouk and Beisnano he gave his instructions to renovate the old Jewish cemetery in Tunis, the capital. Ben Ali indicated to his two guests he will invite the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, of Tunisian origin, and leader of the Labor party Shimon Peres to visit his country.