'Israel' has decided to prevent a delegation of Middle Eastern foreign ministers, headed by Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat, from entering the West Bank, a senior 'Israeli' official told 'The Times of Israel' on Friday.

 

The group, which includes foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan, was set to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah this Sunday. The visit would have marked the first time a Saudi foreign minister visited the West Bank since 'Israel' occupied the territory in 1967.

 

'Israeli' authorities said the Palestinian Authority intended to leverage the visit to advance the cause of establishing a Palestinian state. The official emphasized that 'Israel' will not support any actions perceived as threatening its national security, warning that such a state could become “a terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel.”

 

Though the ministers were not scheduled to enter the occupied Palestinian territories, 'Israel' controls West Bank border access, and its approval was required for the delegation’s arrival, expected via helicopters from Jordan, according to 'the Times of Israel'.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government reportedly finalized the decision to block the visit during a high-level ministerial meeting on Thursday.

 

The planned visit had backing from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was seen as an important show of support for the Palestinian Authority amid ongoing regional turmoil.

 

The 'Israeli' official pointed to the Palestinian Authority’s failure to explicitly condemn Hamas for the events of October 7. While the PA has condemned violence against civilians broadly, it has not formally condemned Hamas. More recently, Abbas has urged Hamas to release captives and relinquish control over Gaza.

 

The Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mazen Ghoneim, described the anticipated visit as sending “a clear message that the Palestinian cause remains central for Arabs and Muslims,” especially as the Gaza conflict nears its 20th month.

 

In the coming month, Saudi Arabia and France will co-host an international conference at the United Nations aimed at reviving efforts for a two-state solution. Riyadh is hopeful other countries will follow its lead in recognizing a Palestinian state. 'Israel' has responded by advancing settlement projects in the West Bank, stating they are necessary to counter these diplomatic efforts.