The United States (US) has hindered the President of the Palestinian State, Mahmoud Abbas, alongside eighty (80) other officials from participating in the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the City of New York.
SkyNews reports: “US secretary of state Marco Rubio has revoked the US visas of delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and denied others from applying for one.
“It is the latest step by Donald Trump’s administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions, and follows the suspension of a programme to allow injured children from Gaza to receive treatment in the US.
“”It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” a statement from the US State Department said.
“It added that, to be considered partners for peace, both groups “must consistently repudiate terrorism, and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO”.
“Several US allies, including France, Malta, and Australia have announced plans to recognise Palestine as a state at September’s United Nations General Assembly. Canada and the UK will too, unless Israel meets certain conditions.”
Photo: Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2024 | Reuters
