Arab Foreign Ministers Criticize Israel for Blocking Visit Amid Gaza Conflict
In a significant diplomatic development, foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE condemned Israel after it blocked their planned visit to the West Bank. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, speaking at a joint news conference in Amman, characterized Israel’s actions as “extremism and rejection of peace.” The Arab ministers aimed to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to bolster Palestinian statehood efforts amidst ongoing violence in Gaza.
Israel’s government, which controls the airspace and borders of the West Bank, denied the delegation access, labeling the visit as a provocative move in light of the Palestinian Authority’s refusal to condemn recent violence. An Israeli official stated that the country would “not cooperate” with the delegation, further straining relationships.
Prince Faisal emphasized that Israel’s refusal exemplified a broader pattern of dismissing peace initiatives, urging Arab states to ramp up diplomatic efforts against such “arrogance.” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed these sentiments, asserting that Israel’s actions hinder prospects for a just resolution to the conflict.
The blocked visit comes as plans for an international conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York from June 17 to 20, are underway. The conference will discuss avenues for Palestinian statehood, including security arrangements post-ceasefire and reconstruction strategies aimed at preventing further Israeli displacement of Palestinians.
International pressure on Israel mounts, particularly from the United Nations and European nations advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As tensions escalate, the future of peace negotiations remains uncertain, with Arab nations steadfast in their commitment to Palestinian rights.
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