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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
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Allenby Bridge. Medvedev to stay on Jordanian side?
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Medvedev's PA visit in jeopardy

After Russian president calls off visit to Israel over Foreign Ministry workers' strike, workers threaten to stop him from crossing Allenby Bridge into Palestinian territories

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to the Palestinian Authority next week is in danger due to a strike launched by Israeli Foreign Ministry workers.

 

According to the initial plan, the Russian president was slated to land at Ben-Gurion Airport on Tuesday with a delegation of 500 officials, including the Russian political and security echelon and some 300 businesspeople.

 

After Foreign Ministry officials declared that they would not issue entry visas "even to Medvedev himself" and would not make any arrangements for the visit, Russian Foreign Ministry officials sent a message to Israel: "Don't embarrass us." Shortly afterwards, Medvedev decided to call off the visit.

 

'Even Arafat got to visit Mukataa'

Foreign Ministry sources clarified that such a mover would be unprecedented and would have major diplomatic and international consequences if Medvedev's meetings with other leaders would have to be canceled due to the Israeli strike.

 

Following the changes, the Russian president is slated to land with his delegation in Amman, Jordan, and then cross the border into Israel through the Allenby Bridge – a move which requires the Foreign Ministry's' approval as well.

 

"The Russians are in shock, they just don't understand it," a state official told Ynet. "From an international point of view, a presidential visit of this kind is much more important than a visit by the Queen of England.

 

"We have never seen such high-ranking visits to the Palestinian Authority canceled due to Israeli pressure. Even (former PA Chairman Yasser) Arafat got to visit the Mukataa."

 

The expected embarrassment, which may cause major diplomatic damage to Israel, will not take place if the Foreign Ministry workers make it possible for Medvedev to visit the PA or if the prime minister helps the Russians get the entry permits. Netanyahu has refrained from intervening in the strike up to now, and such a move is likely to face strong objections.

 

Merkel to call off visit too?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to visit Israel in late January. Sources in Germany told Ynet that despite a possible cancelation, the Germans are preparing for the trip as planned.

 

Germany clarified that it would not call off the visit, and that any such move would be initiated by the Israeli side.

 

The striking Foreign Ministry workers are expected to meet with Treasury officials on Sunday in an attempt to end the strike and prevent a diplomatic embarrassment. The workers are striking in protest of their low wages.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.14.11, 13:59
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