US denies visas for Palestinian officials ahead of UN General Assembly
Questions over Palestinian officials’ attendance at UN meeting after visas denied
- The US State Department announced it will deny and revoke visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
- It said the action is intended to hold the PLO and PA "accountable" for undermining prospects for peace.
- It is unclear if the move will stop Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly.
- The State Department accused PA officials of contributing to the breakdown of ceasefire talks by pursuing legal cases against Israel through international courts.
- The State Department said the PA’s Mission, the body that represents Palestinian interests on the global stage, will receive “waivers per the UN Headquarters Agreement.”