Israel blocks foreign envoys from attending West Bank meeting

A meeting of international envoys due to be held in the West Bank in support of the Palestinian leadership was axed yesterday after Israel refused to admit attendees from four countries, Palestinian officials said.

The meeting involved representatives from the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of states that aims to represent the interests of the developing world.

They were due to sign a declaration backing the Palestinians ahead of their fresh campaign to win recognition as a state at the UN next month. Israel barred the foreign ministers of Malaysia and Indonesia along with ambassadors from Cuba and Bangladesh on the grounds the four countries do not recognise the Jewish state.