NEW YORK — A senior Arab diplomat tells The Times of Israel that there is mounting concern in the Arab world and in Ramallah that Israel will prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from leaving or returning to the West Bank on his next trip abroad following the decisions by Western states to recognize Palestine.
The diplomat says that Israel has, in recent months, been dragging its feet with authorizations for Abbas to travel out of the West Bank, waiting until the last minute to grant approval, when in the past, the green light would come several days in advance.
The Arab diplomat says that such a move would be met with a “firm response” from neighboring Arab countries.
“Such a step would only further isolate Israel,” the diplomat says.
Earlier today, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel was considering annexing West Bank territory and sanctioning PA leaders, including by limiting their freedom of movement, in response to the Western recognitions of a Palestinian state.
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