Israel has rejected a scheduled visit by Arab foreign ministers to the West Bank, which is under occupation. The gathering, hosted by Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, was meant to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Israel denied them permission, mentioning security reasons. The Arab ministers and Palestinian leaders have issued stiff criticism for the action.
Arab Ministers Condemn Israel’s Decision
The Jordanian foreign ministry said the ministers roundly condemned Israel’s “ban” on visiting Ramallah. Israel occupies the borders and airspace of the West Bank, so the ministers needed Israeli permission to go in.
Israel thwarted the visit late on Friday, calling it a “provocative” bid to advance Palestinian statehood. An Israeli spokesman stated, “Israel will not cooperate with actions intended to undermine its security.”
Palestinian Leaders Denounce Israeli Move
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) deputy chairman, Hussein Al Sheikh, labeled Israel’s decision a “dangerous escalation.” He termed it “arrogant, provocative, and unprecedented behavior.” Al Sheikh stated that Palestinians and their Arab allies are now planning their response to the ban.
This Israeli move is just before an important global conference on Palestinian statehood. France and Saudi Arabia will jointly host the conference in New York from June 17 to 20. The UN and most European nations support a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron recently referred to Palestinian recognition as a “moral duty” and “political necessity.”
Recent Israeli Moves and Escalating Violence
There has been heightened tension in the area. Israeli troops recently shot close to a diplomatic mission convoy – which had diplomats from the EU, UK, Russia, and China – in the Jenin refugee camp, leading to international outcry. The soldiers allegedly fired warning shots after the caravan strayed from a planned route, according to Israel.
At the same time, Israel keeps expanding settlements in occupied territories. The authorities are planning 22 new ones and legalizing unauthorized settlements. Palestinians and human rights organizations resolutely protest against these actions. The International Court of Justice pronounced Israel’s occupation unlawful and required evacuating all settlements.
Human Cost of Conflict
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military strikes in Gaza and the West Bank have resulted in heavy losses. No less than 972 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, and over 7,000 were wounded. Over 1,100 Israelis were killed in attacks by Hamas, and over 200 were kidnapped.
The Gaza Strip lost worse. Palestinian officials report more than 54,000 killed and over 124,000 wounded. The government press office most recently put the death toll at more than 61,700, citing large numbers of missing people assumed dead under the debris.
This blockade on the Arab ministers’ visit marks the extent of how vulnerable and tense the region is. It emphasizes the need for fresh dialogue and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at an early stage. The world looks on as events progress.
