US again denies visas to Palestinian delegation for the U.N. General Assembly

The Trump administration has once again denied visas for a senior Palestinian delegation to attend the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly. Those affected include Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to NBC 6 South Florida, citing a State Department statement, Washington argued that Palestinian officials had not met commitments made under previous agreements aimed at pursuing peace with Israel.

The State Department said the Palestinian Authority had continued legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. It also said the authority continues to provide stipends to families of prisoners convicted of attacks against Israelis. NBC News Politics added that the administration also accused the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization of seeking unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, internationalizing the conflict, and glorifying acts of terrorism in public statements and school textbooks.

Based on that position, the United States extended sanctions that bar visas for PLO members and Palestinian Authority officials under existing U.S. law.

Despite the decision, Palestinians will still be represented at next week’s meeting by diplomats who are already accredited to the United Nations. Last year, Abbas took part by video, NBC 6 South Florida reported.

NBC News Politics also reported that the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates rejected the decision, saying it runs against efforts to rebuild trust and create the political conditions needed for a two-state solution and for peace and stability in the region.

Sources

• NBC 6 South Florida
• NBC News Politics

About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.