Israel denies Colombian minister entry to Ramallah

Israeli authorities denied this week Colombia’s foreign minister entry to Ramallah, in what seemed to be a loud diplomatic statement on the status of Jerusalem, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported.

The Foreign Ministry of Bogota released a statement explaining that Israel would allow Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin to visit Ramallah only if she added Jerusalem to her itinerary.

A senior Israeli official confirmed Bogota’s statement, adding that the decision was ordered by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Had Israel permitted Holguin to visit Ramallah while not stopping by Jerusalem, the Colombian foreign minister’s visit may set a precedent many countries would follow, which Liberman, according to the official, said contradicts Israel’s stance on Jerusalem.

On Nov.3, the Colombian Embassy forwarded its request to allow Holguin into Ramallah, clearly stating that she intends to meet with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and possibly Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Lieberman instructed Foreign Ministry staff to alert their Colombian counterparts that Holguin’s visit to Ramallah should be made only if she lands in Jerusalem as well, which authorities would regard as a visit to Israel as it claims the city at its capital, a claim not recognized by the international community.

Shortly afterward, the Colombian Foreign Ministry announced that a visit to Palestine had been removed from Holguin’s itinerary, which initially included visits to Jordan and GCC states, due to a full schedule.

She did manage to meet with al-Maliki, albeit during her visit to Amman.

In response to the diplomatic confrontation, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, Emmanuel Nahshon, said in response: “As is customary and especially in light of the friendly relations [between Israel and Colombia], we invited the minister to attend a short meeting in Jerusalem, but in light of scheduling restraints the minister decided not to visit the Palestinian Authority and Israel during her current trip.”

“We hope that we will be able to arrange a visit for Minister Holguin to Israel soon,” he added.

Colombia is one of the last two states in South America that are yet to recognize Palestine as a state.

Israel bans Norwegian doctor from Gaza

Mads Gilbert, an outspoken Norwegian doctor and activist who treated patients at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital during Israel’s assault on the Palestinian territory this summer, has been denied access to Gaza "indefinitely" by Israeli authorities.

Gilbert was turned away from the Erez border crossing when attempting to return to Gaza in October, despite having all the legitimate paper work.

"To my surprise I was denied access by the Israeli military," he said. "When I asked the reason they informed me that it was a security issue."

Gilbert said that when he asked for a fuller explanation, he was told to "leave the premises or the police would be called".

The 67-year-old, who has been involved in solidarity work with Palestinians for decades and volunteered at al-Shifa on and off for 17 years, has been a vocal critic of Israel's military campaigns and its occupation of Palestinian territory. 

During the seven-week conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement that left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead, Gilbert frequently spoke to international media, about the situation at al-Shifa hospital, which was overwhelmed with civilian casualties.