US Denies Visa for Palestinian Leader Ahead of UN Assembly
Washington has blocked Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly for the second consecutive year, citing unmet reform commitments. Al Jazeera English confirms the ban now explicitly covers PLO members and is linked to the PA's push for international statehood, despite Abbas's plan to address the assembly and the recent surge in global recognitions for Palestinian statehood.
Al Jazeera English reports that the US State Department has formally confirmed the extension of visa sanctions to include the broader Palestine Liberation Organization, explicitly citing the PA's pursuit of international statehood recognition and payments to families of convicted attackers as violations of US law. The report also highlights the diplomatic friction this creates, noting that Abbas had intended to leverage the recent wave of Western recognitions to push for a two-state solution.
Source: Al Jazeera EnglishWashington has blocked Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly, citing unmet reform commitments and actions deemed to undermine peace prospects.
Source: France 24
