Israel denies entry for Arab ministers to meet Palestinian president

Israel has firmly rejected a request from foreign ministers of five Arab nations to visit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank. This denial reflects Israel's ongoing control over all access to the territory, including its borders and airspace.

An Israeli official characterized the intended meeting, aimed at discussing the future state of Palestine, as “provocative.” The official further accused the Palestinian Authority of failing to denounce the October 7 attack by Hamas, asserting that a Palestinian state would inevitably transform into a “terrorist state” within Israel's borders. “Israel will not cooperate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security,” the official stated.

Reports indicate that the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were anticipated to attend this significant meeting.

In response to Israel’s refusal, the foreign ministers expressed strong condemnation. The Jordanian foreign ministry characterized the blockade of their visit as a “blatant violation,” emphasizing the Israeli government's arrogance and its disregard for international law.

This incident follows a series of alarming events, including Israeli soldiers allegedly firing “warning shots” at diplomats from both Arab and European countries during their visit to the West Bank. Concurrently, Israel announced plans to approve 22 new settlements in the West Bank, a move deemed illegal under international law and a substantial barrier to the peace process.

As regional tensions escalate, Saudi Arabia and France are reportedly organizing a peace conference at the United Nations in June, aimed at revitalizing discussions surrounding the two-state solution. However, Israeli forces have shown little inclination to cease their military operations in Gaza, where, according to the health ministry, the death toll has tragically surpassed 54,381 since the onset of conflict on October 7, 2023.

The situation in Gaza has reached a dire level, with the United Nations recently labeling it the “hungriest place on Earth.” The organization warns that the entire population of 2.3 million faces catastrophic hunger, highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis in the region.