US to Block Palestinian Officials from Attending UN Meeting in New York
The US says it will deny or revoke visas for Palestinian officials attending next month’s UN General Assembly session, citing unilateral statehood moves and legal concerns.
US visa restrictions target Palestinian delegates
The US announced it will deny or revoke visas for Palestinian officials traveling to New York for the UN General Assembly, accusing them of undermining peace efforts by seeking "unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state."
International push for Palestinian statehood
France is leading an initiative to recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming session, backed by the UK, Canada and Australia. The US administration opposes this move and has fully supported Israel in voicing its objections.
Diplomatic and legal ramifications
Under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the US, as host country, is expected to facilitate access to UN meetings regardless of bilateral relations. Critics argue that the visa ban may conflict with this treaty obligation.
Conflict background
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the two-state solution, arguing it would reward "Hamas's monstrous terrorism." The Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas since 2007, while the Palestinian Authority controls parts of the West Bank under President Mahmoud Abbas and the PLO.
More than 63,000 people have died in Gaza since the conflict escalated in October 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
This visa ban highlights the US’s refusal to permit unilateral steps toward Palestinian statehood, underscoring the wider diplomatic rift over Middle East peace efforts.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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