Israel, courting ex-foes, can overfly Sudan: Netanyahu

PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israeli airliners would be able to overfly Sudan en route to South America, part of Israel’s drive to improve ties with Muslim countries and isolate arch-foe Iran. Encouraged by the Trump administration, Israel has sought better relations with formerly hostile Arab and Muslim countries that share its worries about Iran or see potential economic benefits. Last month, Netanyahu and Chadian President Idriss Deby renewed relations severed by N’Djamena in 1972. Netanyahu told a briefing of diplomats his talks with Deby had helped open up a new air corridor to South America. “At this time, we can overfly Egypt. We can overfly Chad, that has already been set. And to all appearances, we can also overfly this corner of Sudan,” he said, pointing to a map. Netanyahu spokesmen did not elaborate and it was unclear when Israeli flights might be able to start overflying Sudan en route to South America, which the prime minister described as Israel’s fourth-most important air-travel destination.<br/>