ALWAGHT- Israel reportedly stated it will not permit an Arab delegation led by Saudi Arabia to enter the West Bank.
Israel has rejected a planned visit by a high-level Arab ministerial delegation to the West Bank, calling it a “provocative” move aimed at undermining its security. The delegation, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan and including ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, was scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. According to Israeli officials, the Zionist regime will not cooperate with efforts organized by the Palestinian Authority to host such a visit.
The visit would have marked the most senior Saudi diplomatic trip to the occupied territories since 1967 and was intended as a symbolic show of support for the Palestinian cause. Palestinian officials emphasized the importance of the visit, with Ambassador Mazen Ghoneim stating it sends a clear message that Palestine remains central to the Arab and Muslim world. The mission aligns with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s broader campaign for international recognition of Palestinian statehood amid Israel’s prolonged assault on Gaza.
Bin Salman has pressured Western nations, especially the US, to support Palestinian statehood, while also pausing normalization efforts with Israel due to growing public outrage over Israel’s military actions. France has indicated potential recognition of Palestine by June, and President Emmanuel Macron recently described the recognition of a Palestinian state as both a moral and political necessity. Macron also warned Israel to take immediate action to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza or face a more severe response from Europe.
