Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to block a planned visit by senior Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to the West Bank has triggered a backlash from Saudi Arabia. Israel decided to ban the visit, scheduled for Sunday, citing the Palestinian Authority’s intentions to use the event to promote statehood.
The decision drew the ire of not only Palestinians as it came ahead of the international conference on Palestinian statehood co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Now, a source close to Saudi Arabia's ruling family has lashed out at Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his behaviour 'improper'. "Israel made a mistake in its decision. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s behaviour is improper; he is trying to protect himself because of his own interests," the source told an Israeli broadcaster. "He doesn’t want peace, he only wants to make problems."
Netanyahu's decision could affect the prospect of normalisation between the two countries, the Saudi official added.
Also read: Israel bans rare Saudi-led Arab foreign ministers’ West Bank visit
Israel has blocked a planned visit by senior Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to the West Bank, citing concerns over the Palestinian Authority’s intentions to use the event to promote statehood. The event is being co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. France is reportedly considering formal recognition of a Palestinian state, while Riyadh is encouraging other countries to do the same.
The prospect of Saudi-Israeli normalisation hit a roadblock after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7. After the Gaza war, Riyadh reiterated its stance against normalising relations will not happen before a two-state solution has been reached, considering the risks associated, both in its religious legitimacy and its role as an Arab and Muslim leader.
Much to the dismay of Israel, the Trump administration too made it clear that they were willing to move forward on key agreements with Saudi Arabia without the previous condition of Saudi-Israel normalisation.
