United States cancels visas for Palestinian officials prior to UN General Assembly meeting, according to the State Department announcement
The United States Department of State has made a series of moves that could potentially impact the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations and the ongoing peace process.
In a surprising turn of events, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the visas of several Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) officials. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the Palestinian delegation at the UN are assessing the impact of this decision.
The State Department's statement does not specify the number of visas revoked or the applications denied. However, it is clear that this move could disrupt the PNA's participation in upcoming UN meetings and high-level meetings about the two-state solution.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is leading the delegation to next month's UN meetings and is expected to address the General Assembly. Abbas is also scheduled to attend a high-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on 22 September, focusing on a two-state solution.
The PNA's attendance at these meetings, however, remains uncertain due to the US decision. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, has not yet specified how this decision by the US State Department will affect the Palestinian delegation's attendance at upcoming UN meetings.
In another development, the Israeli military has declared Gaza City a combat zone. It is not immediately clear if Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be affected by this declaration. The PNA, however, is not directly affected by this declaration.
Meanwhile, the agency responsible for the medical treatment program for injured Palestinian children from Gaza has suspended the program due to a social media outcry by some conservatives. The PNA is not affected by this suspension.
The State Department's statement also requires the PLO to consistently repudiate terrorism and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO.
Despite these challenges, the PNA is expected to continue its New York-based operations at the UN, thanks to waivers granted under the US host country agreement with the UN. The department did not immediately respond to a request for more specifics regarding these waivers.
As the situation continues to evolve, the impact of these decisions on the peace process and the Palestinian delegation's participation in international meetings remains unclear.
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