Saudi official says cleric planning to visit Jerusalem would be punished

Saudi warns cleric that Jerusalem trips are banned

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi official says a cleric who announced that he will visit Jerusalem for a TV episode on claims to the city will be punished if he travels there.

The state-owned Al-Watan newspaper on Wednesday quoted the passports office spokesman Lt. Col. Badr Malik as saying visiting Israel is prohibited and any violator is punishable under the law.

Sheik Mohammed al-Areefi told his viewers Sunday on his television show that he will visit Jerusalem next week to support Muslim claims to the city.

Associates of the cleric have since said he was misquoted and does not plan to take the trip.

If al-Areefi visits Jerusalem, it would be an unprecedented trip for a prominent Saudi. Most Muslim countries observe a strict boycott of Israel.