JERUSALEM

Israel has decided to withdraw its support for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the Expo 2030 world fair, Israeli media reported Monday.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) quoted Israeli sources as saying that Israel had in the past supported the kingdom's bid as a host country for the event but had now decided to back Italy instead.

KAN said the decision was taken by the relevant Israeli authorities.

No official statement on the issue has been released by Israeli authorities.

Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Italy are competing to win the bid to host the international exhibition, which attracts millions of people in addition to the investment opportunities it brings.

The final vote for declaring the winning country will be made on Tuesday in Paris.

Israel’s decision seemed to be connected to Saudi Arabia’s harsh criticism of the Israeli army’s devastating onslaught against Gaza which was launched on Oct. 7 following a surprise attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar