Haaretz reported that European diplomats presenting their credentials to the Palestinian Authority were able to enter the center after it opened last October, but restrictions have been imposed in recent weeks. The Netherlands was the first country whose head of mission was barred from entering the center, followed by Belgium and France.
According to Western diplomats, the ban applies only to heads of missions, while staff working for missions that cooperate with the Palestinian Authority are permitted entry. The US side also began requesting written visit requests through its embassy in Jerusalem several weeks ago, without officially responding to some of them.
Diplomats told the newspaper that US officials tried to distance themselves from the decision, noting that it was an Israeli demand and that Washington was “not happy about it.”
European officials also said they initially sensed an American openness, before “Israel’s grip on the center was strengthened.
European diplomats noted that the absence of any Palestinian representation within the center prompted them to try to fill this gap, considering that the experience of their representatives with the Palestinian Authority is essential in discussions related to Gaza.
According to Haaretz , the Western countries participating in the center seek to influence American and Israeli policies towards the sector, and to push Tel Aviv to allow a role for the Palestinian Authority in managing areas east of the “yellow line,” which the Israeli government rejects.
The newspaper believes that the restrictions imposed are in line with Israel’s long-standing policy of thwarting any move that might lead to the unification of the West Bank and Gaza Strip under a single administration, especially after European countries such as France, Britain, Canada and Australia recognized the State of Palestine in recent months.
As of 11:25 GMT, there has been no official comment from Israel or the United States regarding the report.
The coordination center, which includes representatives from about 50 countries, was established in mid-October to monitor the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan on Gaza.
Since October 8, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been waging a war of extermination on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 70,000 Palestinians and the injury of more than 171,000, most of whom are women and children, despite the first phase of the ceasefire agreement coming into effect on October 10, which Israel continues to violate on a daily basis.
