In a sharp rebuke of Israel’s recent decision, Arab ministers condemned the Israeli government for barring their entry to the occupied West Bank, calling it a “blatant violation” of international norms and Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power.
The high-level delegation—comprising foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—had planned a diplomatic visit to Ramallah to meet Palestinian officials. However, Israel denied them access through West Bank airspace, prompting the delegation to postpone the trip.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry issued a scathing statement, accusing Israel of “arrogance,” dismissing international law, and perpetuating policies that isolate the Palestinian people while obstructing the path to a just and comprehensive peace.
An Israeli official defended the move, claiming the meeting was intended to promote a Palestinian state, which the official described as a potential “terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel.” The official added that Israel would not support initiatives it believes compromise its security.
Palestinian Authority officials said discussions are ongoing regarding whether the meeting might proceed through alternative arrangements.
This diplomatic standoff unfolds ahead of a major international conference on Palestinian statehood, set for June 17–20 in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Global momentum toward recognizing Palestinian statehood has been growing, particularly among European nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently declared that acknowledging Palestinian sovereignty is not only a “moral duty” but also a “political necessity.”
Further straining the situation, Israel this week approved the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank—actions widely deemed illegal under international law. Visiting one of the contested areas, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to expand a “Jewish Israeli state,” dismissing foreign recognition of Palestine as nothing more than “paper for the trash bin of history.”
