UN General Assembly in New York: USA denies Palestinian president UN visa

dpa | The US government has reportedly once again denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an entry permit shortly before the UN General Assembly in New York. This was reported by the Palestinian news agency Maan, citing an informed source. The Times of Israel also reported the decision, citing US and Palestinian officials.

According to the US State Department, the United States extended sanctions against the issuance of visas to representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). As justification, the ministry referred to the lack of reforms by the autonomous authority and the failure to keep promises to the USA. The ministry also accused those affected of continuing activities that undermined the prospects for peace. However, the ministry did not provide the specific names of those affected upon request.

According to Maan, an informed source confirmed that Abbas is affected by the visa restrictions. This means that he cannot personally travel to New York to take part in the deliberations of the General Assembly.

The official representation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) at the United Nations is therefore exempt from the visa restrictions. This only has observer status and is not a full UN member.

Last year, the US government had already imposed visa sanctions on Abbas a few weeks before the UN General Assembly. As a result, he was unable to attend the meetings in person and delivered his speech via video transmission. This year too, Abbas will probably have to participate remotely. According to Maan, the United Nations is currently exploring a mechanism that would allow him to participate virtually.

Abbas is the head of the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank. The PLO is the official representative of the Palestinian people at the international level. The Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip is neither part of the PLO nor the autonomous authority.

During the term of office of Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and also during Trump's first presidency, Abbas was always able to give speeches to the United Nations during the General Assembly. Abbas' speech at the UN general debate is currently scheduled for next Thursday - just like that of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.