Trump Administration Again Denies Visas for Palestinian Delegation to Attend the UN General Assembly
The sanctions extend a second year and cover dozens of Palestinian officials, while the State Department cites actions it says undermine peace efforts.
- On Wednesday, The State Department extended visa sanctions on Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials, preventing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Washington cited failures to meet commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act and Middle East Peace Commitments Act, specifically noting Palestinian efforts at international courts and continued payments to families of terrorists.
- This marks the second consecutive year of visa denials for Abbas; member states previously adopted a resolution allowing remote participation by 145 votes to five, though that measure does not automatically carry over into the 81st session.
- United Nations Danny Danon welcomed The United States' position, criticizing Abbas by stating, "Abu Mazen cannot continue paying terrorists... and then be surprised when doors are closed to him," using the president's Arabic nickname.
- The General Assembly is expected to vote on a new measure determining if Abbas may again participate remotely, while The State Department maintains an existing visa waiver for personnel assigned to the PLO Observer Mission.
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EU urges US to lift visa restrictions on Palestinian officials
The European Union has called on the United States to reconsider visa restrictions on Palestinian officials ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to address delegates by video. The EU said on Saturday that it regretted the continuation of restrictions for a second year.
EU urges US to rethink visa refusal for Palestinians
The European Union said on Saturday it regretted Washington's decision to deny visas for the second year running to Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly, urging a rethink. The US State Department said this week it was refusing to grant visas to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and other members of his delegation ahead of next week's meeting in New York. "We regret the decision to extend the denial of entry visas for me…
Denying Palestinians visa for UN summit contravenes peace and statehood
TEHRAN – Just like last year, the U.S. State Department has barred the Palestinian Authority delegation, including President Mahmoud Abbas, to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
For the second year, the United States denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the UN General Assembly next week, according to information from the State Department.
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