An Arab-Islamic ministerial delegation held a virtual meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday after Israeli authorities barred their planned visit to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to Anadolu.
Following the virtual session, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters the meeting aimed to press for a “just and comprehensive peace” and to reaffirm support for the Palestinian cause. He accused Israel of deliberately undermining any prospects for a viable two-state solution through its actions on the ground.
Safadi urged the international community to take immediate steps to end the war in Gaza, saying the scale of violence has surpassed what any human conscience should tolerate. He described Israel’s ongoing blockade and military campaign as acts of “arrogance and extremism.”
The Jordanian foreign minister also revealed that King Abdullah II had met with the ministerial delegation earlier and stressed the importance of their diplomatic mission to mobilise global backing for ending the war in Gaza.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan echoed Safadi’s sentiments, condemning Israel’s refusal to allow the delegation into the West Bank. He said the move further demonstrated Israel’s rejection of serious peace efforts and only strengthened the delegation’s resolve to pursue diplomatic solutions.
The delegation comprised foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Türkiye, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Palestine, alongside the secretaries-general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Their original visit was intended to discuss ways to advance Palestinian statehood and respond to the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Since launching its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has killed more than 54,400 Palestinians—mostly women and children—according to Palestinian sources. Aid groups continue to warn of the growing famine risk among Gaza’s more than two million residents.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel is also facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice over its conduct in Gaza.