Israel is getting tough with Arab countries that do not recognize Israel and bars them from crossing Jordan to Ramallah.

The Foreign Minister explained that diplomats from Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh are not being allowed to attend a mini-Non-Aligned Movement conference in the Palestinian Authority headquarters because their governments do not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

A delegation from Algeria was to be barred, but the country told its officials to return home before Israel could bar therm.

The conference was to be held to back PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas; renewed attempt to win recognition from the United Nations, this time as an observer state, but the PA said it will cancel the meeting because of Israel’s action.

Other countries that were to attend include those who have ties with Israel, such as Egypt, Jordan, India, Colombia and South Africa.

Abbas is expected to have no trouble winning a virtually guaranteed majority in the General Assembly, unlike last years’ failed bid for full membership, which requires two-thirds approval from the United Nations Security Council. 

The Non-Aligned Movement of 120 countries still is scheduled to hold a meeting in  Iran at the end of this month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to ask the conference for a resolution recognizing the right of developing countries to enrich uranium and develop nuclear power, regardless of limits set out in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.