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International Desk, June 1, 2025 : Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has sharply criticized Israel, branding it an "extremist state" after it prevented a delegation of Arab foreign ministers from holding a meeting in the occupied West Bank. The remarks came in response to Israel’s refusal to allow the ministers’ helicopter to use West Bank airspace, forcing the group to hold an alternative meeting in Amman, Jordan.
In a statement on Sunday, June 1, Prince Faisal accused Israel of demonstrating through its "extremist behavior" that it is not interested in peaceful solutions but rather in obstructing them. The delegation, comprising foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, had planned to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to discuss the formation of an independent Palestinian state. Israel’s decision to block the meeting was confirmed by an Israeli official, who stated that the discussions posed a threat to Israel’s interests.
The incident marks the first time since 1967 that a Saudi foreign minister’s visit to the West Bank has been canceled due to Israeli restrictions. Prince Faisal condemned the move as evidence of Israel’s preference for "oppressive policies" over peace. He vowed that Saudi Arabia would intensify its diplomatic efforts despite such obstacles.
Analysts warn that this development could further complicate peace efforts in the Middle East and strain potential normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The incident has also raised fresh questions about Israel’s commitment to diplomatic solutions, with international observers noting that such actions hinder progress toward a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
AI/MR
