US Bars Palestinian President Abbas From Attending UNGA for Second Year
The United States has again denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian Authority officials, preventing them from travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, marking the second consecutive year of the restrictions.
The US State Department said the visa sanctions were being extended over what it described as a failure by Palestinian officials to meet reform commitments and actions it said undermine prospects for peace.
The decision means Abbas cannot attend the annual UN gathering in person. However, the UN General Assembly voted to allow him to address the session remotely through a prerecorded video statement.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the UN decision, saying it allows the Palestinian leadership to maintain its participation in the international forum.
The dispute comes ahead of the annual UN General Assembly session, where the Palestinian issue and efforts toward Palestinian statehood are expected to remain major topics of discussion.
