US Denies Visa to Palestinian President Abbas for UN General Assembly

The United States has denied a visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from attending the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in person for the second consecutive year. Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, confirmed the US refusal, calling it a repeat of last year's situation and a violation of the host country's obligations to the UN.

Palestinian sources indicated that the US also denied visas to members of Abbas's delegation. While Washington cited the Palestinian Authority's positions and international activities as reasons, Majdalani emphasized the importance of the Palestinian president's personal presence at the UN. He stated that Abbas's attendance is crucial not only for delivering a speech but also for conducting vital political and diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the assembly.

Majdalani explained that sending a video message, as Abbas did last year, cannot replace in-person engagement, which allows for direct interactions with world leaders and delegates. He also addressed the host country agreement, asserting that it obligates the US to facilitate the access of invited delegates and that the current issue stems from the US decision itself, not a need to renegotiate the agreement.

Despite the visa denial, President Abbas is scheduled to deliver his address via video on September 24. The Palestinian leadership is coordinating with friendly nations to protest the US decision. Majdalani downplayed the possibility of bringing the issue before the General Assembly, noting that the current international climate makes a repeat of past incidents, like the relocation of a session to Geneva during Yasser Arafat's visa denial, unlikely.