Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accused the United States of unlawfully denying entry visas to members of the Palestinian delegation ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Abbas made the allegation on Thursday while addressing world leaders through a prerecorded video after he was denied a U.S. visa for the second consecutive year.
The Palestinian leader said the decision prevented him and other officials from attending the UN gathering in person. The United States has defended the visa restrictions, accusing the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization of failing to meet previous commitments and of pursuing actions that Washington says undermine prospects for peace.
The UN General Assembly had earlier voted to allow Abbas to address the assembly remotely after the visa denial. The vote also provided for Palestinian officials to participate virtually in certain UN meetings when they are unable to travel to the United States.
During his address, Abbas called for stronger international action over the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and renewed his support for a two-state solution.
The dispute has renewed debate over the United States’ obligations as host country of the UN headquarters in New York. Under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the US generally provides access for foreign diplomats, although Washington maintains that visa restrictions can be imposed on security and foreign-policy grounds.
Leave a comment