US blocks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials from United Nations’ annual meeting in New York
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials have been blocked from attending September’s annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has revoked the US visas of delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and denied others from applying for one.
It is the latest step by Donald Trump’s administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions, and follows the suspension of a programme to allow injured children from Gaza to receive treatment in the US.
“It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” a statement from the US State Department said.
It added that, to be considered partners for peace, both groups “must consistently repudiate terrorism, and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO”.
The State Department didn’t specify how many visas had been rejected or applications denied.
It comes ahead of the UK officially recognising Palestine as a state in September, before the UN General Assembly, unless Israel meets certain conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza. Canada and France announced similar moves.
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said Mr Abbas had planned to lead the delegation to the UN meetings and was expected to address the general assembly at the general debate, which begins on 23 September.
He was also expected to attend a high-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on 22 September about a two-state solution, a broad idea involving Israel coexisting with an independent Palestinian state.
Mahmoud Abbas addressing the general assembly in 2024. Pic: AP
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The Palestinian Authority “expressed its deep regret and astonishment” at the decision, calling it “a violation of US commitments” as the host of the UN, and claiming it “contravenes international law”.
The State of Palestine is an observer member of the UN, meaning it can speak at meetings but not vote on resolutions.
Hundreds of diplomats left when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu began speaking at the general assembly in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The State Department said representatives of the Palestinian Authority mission at the UN would be granted waivers to continue their operations in New York.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body would be seeking clarification from the State Department in the “hope that this will be resolved”.
