News Desk
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has strongly condemned Israel’s recent decision to bar Arab foreign ministers from visiting Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, describing it as a blatant display of Israeli extremism. The move, he said, represents a deliberate obstacle to peace efforts and undermines diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering stability across the region.
Prince Faisal criticized the refusal as an affront to the principles of dialogue and cooperation, emphasizing that preventing Arab ministers from entering Ramallah only deepens divisions and fuels mistrust. Speaking in response to the incident, he vowed that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to intensifying its diplomatic engagement against what he termed Israeli arrogance would only grow stronger.
The delegation, which included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, had planned to visit Ramallah to discuss pressing regional issues. However, the Israeli government declined to grant them access, sparking widespread criticism and adding to already heightened tensions in the Middle East.
This latest development underscores the fragile nature of relations in the region, where political disagreements and historic grievances continue to obstruct efforts toward reconciliation and peace. The refusal has been viewed by many as a setback for diplomatic dialogue, raising concerns about the future of regional cooperation and the prospects for resolving long-standing conflicts.
As the situation unfolds, Saudi Arabia and its partners appear determined to push forward with diplomatic initiatives despite the challenges, signaling that such incidents will only strengthen their resolve to seek meaningful engagement and counter actions they see as provocative or counterproductive to peace.
