Israel Blocks Arab League Secretary-General From Visiting Palestinian Authority Leader in Ramallah

The Israeli government prevented Nabil Fahmy, the new Secretary-General of the Arab League, from visiting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. The visit was scheduled for Tuesday as part of Fahmy's first foreign trip in his new role, intended to show solidarity from the 22 Arab League member states. Fahmy was to travel from Cairo to Jordan and then to Ramallah. However, following a ministerial meeting in Jerusalem attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel decided not to allow Fahmy's plane to cross from Jordan into Ramallah.

The Palestinian Authority informed the Arab League in Cairo about Israel's decision, and a source reported that Fahmy "reacted with anger." Israel justified the move by stating it would not cooperate with any action perceived as harming national security. Fahmy responded by affirming that despite Israel's obstruction, the Arab League would continue addressing the Palestinian issue and work toward establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Fahmy, 75, a veteran Egyptian diplomat and former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in the West Bank without mentioning Gaza. He criticized the Israeli-imposed restrictions in the territories and the expansion of settlements, which he claimed Israel encourages. Fahmy called for measures against Israel for violating Palestinian rights.