Saudis Deny Barring Gazans From Mecca

Saudi authorities have denied barring Palestinians from Gaza from performing the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, because of a dispute concerning which Palestinian government is legitimate.

Usually there are spaces reserved for about 3,000 Palestinians from Gaza for the pilgrimage. Hajj authorities asked the Fatah-dominated government in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, to draw up the list of those attending and issued visas for the pilgrims.

However, the rival faction Hamas, which won Palestinian elections three years ago and now controls the Gaza Strip, refused to allow out those people named on the Ramallah list. Instead, Hamas drew up its own list of pilgrims who wanted to travel but that list was not recognised by the Saudi authorities.

A spokesman at the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs denounced "false statements issued by a member of the Palestinian legislative council" regarding the matter, saying it had given thousands of Palestinians from all occupied territories, including Gaza, the necessary visas.

"Saudi Arabia has increased the visa quota for Palestinians, taking into account the circumstances of their humanitarian conditions. In addition to this, all Saudi outlets are ready to receive them, and to facilitate their performance of hajj rituals," he said.

At least three million Muslims will spend three days visiting Mecca, Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, with about a third having entered the country illegally.