Rabbi Yaakov Israel Herzog, a dual American-Israeli citizen who proclaimed himself as the "Grand Chief Rabbi" of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula since around 2019, announced that he was denied entry into the kingdom upon arrival at the airport. This claim marks a potential shift from his previously reported frequent travels to Saudi Arabia using his U.S. passport, where he provided informal religious services to a small expatriate Jewish community (estimated at 200–1,000 individuals, primarily professionals from the U.S. and Europe).
Herzog expressed deep regret and shock at being barred, despite holding a valid entry visa.
He emphasized his loyalty to Saudi leadership, including King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, praising their commitment to tolerance, peace, justice, and reform.Immigration authorities at the airport, and subsequent contacts within the Ministry of Interior, provided no explanation for the denial.
Herzog speculated that the decision did not originate from the Royal Court or the Saudi government itself but possibly from "shadowy forces" aiming to undermine the kingdom's path of openness and tolerance.
He reaffirmed his dedication to serving the Jewish expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, which he described as living in peace under the kingdom's system, and expressed confidence that the situation would be rectified.
