The US has blocked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York next month. The move, confirmed by the US State Department, also affects 80 other Palestinian officials whose visas have been revoked.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the decision, stating that the Palestinian officials were undermining peace efforts and seeking “the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.” The decision comes as France leads international efforts to push for the recognition of a Palestinian state at the session—a move that the Trump administration had opposed.
The US, which typically facilitates travel for officials of all countries wishing to attend UN meetings, has made an exception in this case. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, had previously confirmed that Abbas would lead his country’s delegation at the session. However, a State Department official later clarified that Abbas and other members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) would not be granted visas for the event.
While Rubio argued that Palestinian representatives in New York could still attend meetings in line with the UN Headquarters Agreement, which ensures the right of foreign officials to attend, it remains unclear whether the US move complies with that agreement. Abbas’ office condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement, noting that Palestine holds observer status at the United Nations.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar supported the US decision, while Palestinians expressed astonishment, urging the US to reverse its position.
The PLO, which has held observer status at the UN since 1974, can participate in meetings but cannot vote on resolutions. This decision comes at a time of rising tensions between Israel and Palestine, particularly as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject a two-state solution, the long-standing international formula aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The move also comes in the wake of ongoing violence in Gaza, which has seen significant casualties. Since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 63,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run health ministries.
In response to the visa decision, Rubio emphasized that for the PA and PLO to be considered partners for peace, they must reject terrorism and stop incitement to violence. He also cited US law requiring the cessation of international legal actions against Israel.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed hope that the issue would be resolved in collaboration with the US State Department, highlighting the importance of ensuring that all UN members and permanent observers can be represented, especially in light of the planned two-state solution meeting.
France, along with the UK, Canada, and Australia, has indicated plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. While Palestine is recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states, the absence of recognized borders and ongoing Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank complicate the situation on the ground.
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