Israel bars entry of foreign officials into Ramallah

Convention of non-aligned states scheduled to open Sunday canceled after Israeli authorities prevented entrance of foreign ministers from Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh who were trying to cross from Jordan to West Bank

Elior Levy|Published: 08.05.12 , 17:24

An international conference of non-aligned countries scheduled to take place in Ramallah on Sunday was canceled after Israel prevented the entrance of four delegations from Jordan to the Palestinian territories.

The foreign ministers of Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh requested to enter Israel through the Allenby crossing en route to Ramallah, however they were barred entry because their countries do not recognize Israel.

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Algeria was also planning to send a representative to the conference, however it canceled the visit a few days prior to the event, citing unwillingness to come in contact with Israeli authorities.

Israeli officials on their part stressed that the Algerian representative will not be allowed into the country. A senior official told the French news agency that following consultation between the Palestinians and the delegation members it was decided to call off the conference.

The international conference of non-aligned states was slated to open on Sunday and last for two days. Foreign ministers from 13 countries confirmed their attendance, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Egypt, Senegal and Colombia.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nasser Judah was also planning to attend the gathering.

On Saturday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki addressed the possibility that Israel might prevent the entrance of some of the representatives, warning that such a move would embarrass Israel and draw harsh criticism.

Al-Maliki also noted that the conference is aimed at garnering support ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September, where the Palestinians plan to renew their statehood bid and ask to be recognized as an observer non-state member.