United States prevents Palestinian leader Abbas and 80 associates from accessing the United Nations; allies endorse statehood determination
The international community is witnessing a significant shift in the recognition of a Palestinian state, with at least 147 UN member states already acknowledging its existence. This movement gained momentum at a recent summit, where Britain, France, Australia, and Canada pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
However, the United States has taken a different stance, justifying its decision by reiterating longstanding allegations that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) have failed to repudiate extremism while pushing for "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state. As a result, the State Department has decided not to allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to New York next month for a United Nations gathering of world leaders.
This decision has not been without controversy, with approximately 80 other Palestinians also affected by the decision to deny and revoke visas. These visa denials are directed at members of the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority. The State Department demands that the PA and PLO "consistently repudiate terrorism," including the deadly October 2023 Hamas attack.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the State Department's decision, while Palestinian officials reject such allegations. They argue that decades of US-mediated talks have failed to end Israeli occupation and secure an independent state of Palestine.
The recognition pledges by Western powers reflect frustration with Israel's assault in Gaza, which has caused a starvation crisis, and anger with Israeli settlement building in the West Bank. The Palestinians currently have observer status at the UN, the same as the Holy See (Vatican). The Palestinians have long sought a state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The US says a Palestinian state can only be established through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Notably, the UN General Assembly meetings should not be subject to any restrictions on access, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who has expressed opposition to any restrictions on access to next month's UN General Assembly. The UN will discuss the visa issue with the State Department, following UN Headquarters agreement between the UN and the US.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Abbas was planning to attend the annual high-level UN General Assembly and a summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Abbas wrote a letter in June condemning the Hamas attack and calling for the release of hostages taken by the militant group. It remains to be seen how these developments will unfold in the coming weeks.
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