The Israeli government has prohibited a delegation of foreign ministers from key Arab nations, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, from entering the Israeli-occupied West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. According to a statement from the Jordanian foreign ministry on Saturday, the planned visit was set for Sunday and was considered significant as it involved high-ranking Arab officials, marking a rare foray into the politically sensitive territory.
Among those slated to attend the meeting was Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, who would have made a historic visit—potentially the first by a Saudi foreign minister to the West Bank in many years. The delegation also included representatives from Bahrain and Egypt, highlighting Arab nations’ involvement in the ongoing situation.
This meeting was intended to take place as preparations unfolded for a significant conference in June, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at advancing the discussion surrounding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently expressed his opposition to this concept.
The backdrop of this diplomatic friction is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 54,000 Palestinians, as reported by local health officials. This tally, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, follows the outbreak of violence after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli fatalities, primarily among civilians, and approximately 250 individuals taken hostage.
This complex situation highlights the increasing urgency for diplomatic dialogue aimed at fostering peace in the fraught landscape of the Middle East.
Among those slated to attend the meeting was Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, who would have made a historic visit—potentially the first by a Saudi foreign minister to the West Bank in many years. The delegation also included representatives from Bahrain and Egypt, highlighting Arab nations’ involvement in the ongoing situation.
This meeting was intended to take place as preparations unfolded for a significant conference in June, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at advancing the discussion surrounding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently expressed his opposition to this concept.
The backdrop of this diplomatic friction is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 54,000 Palestinians, as reported by local health officials. This tally, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, follows the outbreak of violence after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli fatalities, primarily among civilians, and approximately 250 individuals taken hostage.
This complex situation highlights the increasing urgency for diplomatic dialogue aimed at fostering peace in the fraught landscape of the Middle East.
