Annual UN meeting denied access to US for Palestinian leader Abbas and 79 officials, as allies vow statehood promise

The United States has made a controversial decision to deny travel visas to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and around 80 other officials from the PA and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). This move comes as several US allies are set to recognise Palestine as a state at the same UN gathering.

The State Department's justification for the decision lies in the PA and PLO's failure to consistently repudiate terrorism, as demonstrated by the October 2023 Hamas attack that ignited Israel's war in Gaza. The US maintains that a Palestinian state can only be established through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Currently, at least 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognise a Palestinian state. Several states, including France, Canada, and Australia, have committed to recognising a Palestinian state in New York next month, while the USA has taken a different approach.

Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, welcomed the State Department's decision. However, the PA's office has expressed astonishment, arguing that the decision violates the UN "headquarters agreement."

The Palestinians currently have observer status at the UN, the same as the Holy See (Vatican). The PA's mission to the UN, comprising officials who are permanently based there, will not be included in the restrictions.

The State Department stated that it is in the national security interests of the US to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and for undermining the prospects for peace. In June, Mr Abbas wrote a letter to France's president condemning the Hamas attack and calling for the release of hostages taken by the militant group.

The UN will discuss the visa issue with the State Department, in accordance with the UN Headquarters agreement between the UN and the US. Meanwhile, the Palestinians have long sought a state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This decision by the US comes amidst frustration with Israel's assault in Gaza and anger with Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, viewed as the heartland of a potential Palestinian state. The recognition pledges by the western powers reflect this growing frustration.

The annual high-level UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in Manhattan is set to be a heated event, with tensions running high between the US and its allies, and the Palestinians. Mr Abbas was also set to attend a summit there, hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, where Britain, France, Australia, and Canada have pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

Annual UN meeting denied access to US for Palestinian leader Abbas and 79 officials, as allies vow statehood promise