Etihad Airways flight EY 9607 from Abu Dhabi landed at Ben Gurion airport early in the morning with only crew on board, a spokeswoman for the Israel Airports Authority said, AFP reported.

The plane picked up Israeli tourism professionals, who would be flying to the UAE for a two-day trip visit organized by Israeli company Maman Group, the spokeswoman said.

The UAE carrier said it had made “history.”

“Etihad has become the first (Persian) Gulf airline to operate a passenger flight to Israel. And this is only the beginning,” the airline said on Twitter.

Etihad planes had landed in Ben Gurion with medical supplies in May and June to “help” the Palestinians cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Palestinians, who object the agreement Israel forged with the UAE, refused to receive the aid.

In August, Israel and the UAE announced that they had reached a US-brokered deal to normalize ties, following years of discreet economic and security cooperation.

The UAE and Israel were due on Tuesday to sign an agreement to have 28 weekly commercial flights, a transportation ministry official said.

Qalibaf on Tuesday sent messages to the speakers of parliament in the Islamic nations, saying the deal between the UAE and the Israeli regime undermines all efforts by the Muslim countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) to take practical and serious measures for restoration of Palestinian rights.

The top Iranian MP also warned that the agreement would encourage the usurpers of Palestine to continue acts of occupation, violate the rights of Palestinians, and add to insecurity in the region.

Denouncing the compromise between Abu Dhabi and Zionists as a strategic mistake, a provocative move, and a threat to regional peace and security, Qalibaf called on the Muslim parliaments to condemn the anti-Islamic agreement and adopt whatever parliamentary measures and initiatives possible to counter the shameful UAE-Israel deal.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel have reached a deal that will lead to full normalization of diplomatic relations. Many countries as well as Palestinian parties have condemned the move.

The agreement came after a phone call between US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.