Arab Ministers hold virtual meeting with Abbas after Israel blocks West Bank visit

On May 31, Israel blocked a planned visit by Arab foreign ministers to the West Bank, leading to a virtual meeting between the ministers and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The delegation, which included officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, was set to meet in Ramallah to discuss support for Palestinian statehood and preparations for an upcoming international conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York.

However, Israel, which controls access to the West Bank, cited security concerns and refused to cooperate, effectively preventing the visit. In response, the Arab ministers condemned Israel's actions as a violation of its responsibilities as an occupying power.

Jordan's foreign ministry issued a statement decrying Israel's decision to ban the delegation's visit, emphasizing the importance of supporting Palestinian aspirations for statehood.  The blocked visit underscores ongoing tensions between Israel and Arab nations over the Palestinian issue.