The United Nations’ top official, Antonio Guterres, conveyed disappointment on Friday after the United States announced it would not issue a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the forthcoming General Assembly in New York. The decision marks the second consecutive year that Abbas has been barred from traveling to the United Nations headquarters for the annual meeting.
The U.S. State Department confirmed on Thursday that it would deny visas not only to Abbas but also to other senior Palestinian officials slated to attend the assembly. The denial applies to the diplomatic delegation that normally represents the State of Palestine at the United Nations.
According to a UN spokesperson, the Secretary‑General highlighted the potential repercussions of the visa refusal on the ability of the Palestinian delegation to engage fully in the General Assembly’s work. The UN’s concern centers on the principle of inclusive participation for all member states and observer entities within the UN system.
The General Assembly is scheduled to open on Tuesday, with member states and observer missions expected to convene for a week of debates and resolutions on a range of global issues. Under current arrangements, only officials who are part of the Palestinian mission accredited to the United Nations will be permitted to attend, limiting the scope of representation for the Palestinian leadership.
The United States has not provided a detailed rationale for the visa refusals, and the move has drawn criticism from various international observers who view it as a setback to diplomatic engagement with the Palestinian authorities. The UN continues to monitor the situation and assess its impact on the broader peace process and the functioning of the UN system.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-chief-deeply-regrets-us-visa-refused-abbas-annual-meeting.