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Israel denies Indonesian minister's entry into West Bank: report

Xinhua, March 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israeli authorities prevented Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi from entering Ramallah in the West Bank, reported Israeli media Sunday.

Marsudi was prevented from entering Israel, which has been controlling the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem Palestinian territories since 1967.

The reason behind the entry ban is the Indonesian foreign minister's refusal to meet with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, a departure from current Israeli policies permitting officials to travel to the Palestinian territories for meetings, reported the daily Ha'aretz.

Marsudi attempted to reach Ramallah Sunday through the Allenby Crossing which connects the Palestinian territories in Israel with Jordan.

Her visit to Ramallah was in order to Christen an honorary consulate for Indonesia and to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, reported the Ynet news website.

Israeli authorities prevented the minister's entry into the West Bank territories after she was required by Israeli officials to meet with Israeli officials in Jerusalem as well.

Following her objection she was promptly denied entry, reported Ynet.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country, with a population of 200 million Muslims.

No diplomatic relations exist between both countries, however there are a few trade and tourism ties.

In 2013, the then Israeli Education and Economy Minister, Naftali Bennett, visited Bali in Indonesia to attend a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting. Enditem