No Pass for Arab Ministers: Israel Blocks West Bank Meeting with Abbas
Arab ministers' gathering in the West Bank will be prohibited by Israel - Israel imposes ban on meetings of Arab ministers in the West Bank
In a move that's causing a stir around the globe, Israel has barred a delegation of Arab ministers from meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. The ministers were set to touch down on Sunday, but Israel's border control had other plans.
The West Bank, under Israel's grasp since 1967, leaves the occupying power with the power to veto foreign diplomats' entry, a move they defended as necessary to thwart the establishment of a so-called "terrorist state" within their borders [1][2].
The impending gathering was no small affair; it was set to include Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, as well as counterparts from Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey [3].
The attempted visit follows Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement of plans to create a "Jewish-Israeli state" in the West Bank and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's proposal to build 22 new settlements in the region [3].
The Nitty-Gritty
- Territorial Sovereignty: Israel's decision to block the visit highlights its control over the occupied West Bank, which goes against international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention [1][2].
- Right to Self-Determination: By hindering conversations aimed at promoting a Palestinian state, Israel undermines the international community's support for the Palestinians' right to self-determination [1][3].
- Humanitarian Crisis: The blockade and restrictions on movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip contribute to a humanitarian crisis, causing dire consequences for the civilian population [1][4].
- Diplomatic and Political Implications: This decision has strained Israel's relations with Arab countries and the broader international community [2][4].
The Reactions
- Arab and International Condemnation: Arab ministers and international bodies have roundly condemned Israel's actions, labeling them as provocative and harmful to peace efforts [1][4].
- Virtual Meeting: Despite being barred from Ramallah, the Arab ministers held a virtual meeting with President Abbas to offer their support and push for peace [4].
- Escalating Tensions: This incident has further strained Israel's relations with its Arab neighbors, particularly amidst ongoing conflicts and settlement expansion [2].
[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_control_over_the_West_Bank[2] bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56118885[3] cnn.com/2021/08/21/middleeast/arab-ministers-west-bank-israel-travel-intl/index.html[4] www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/21/palestinian-arab-league-meeting-postponed-after-israel-bans-ministers-from-visit[5] oxfam.org/en/research/vulnerable-palestinians-risk-deepening-humanitarian-crisis-due-continued-israeli-abuses
The Israeli decision to bar Arab ministers from meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas highlights the ongoing political tensions and war-and-conflicts in the West Bank, a region Israel controls and which goes against international law. This move by Israel, in denying foreign diplomats' entry, undermines the general news of the Palestinians' right to self-determination and peace efforts, causing escalating tensions with Arab neighbors.
