The restrictions bar Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from traveling to New York for a second consecutive year to address the UN.
The United States has extended visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, barring Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from traveling to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly next week.
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The restrictions mark the second consecutive year that Abbas has been prevented from attending the annual high-level session in person.
The U.S. Department of State attributed the decision to what it described as the Palestinian Authority’s failure to carry out reforms and its continued activities that, according to Washington, undermine prospects for peace.
“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the State Department said in a statement.
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Washington accused the Palestinian Authority of violating U.S. law by seeking international recognition of Palestinian statehood outside direct negotiations, taking its dispute with Israel to international courts and making payments to people whom the United States and Israel identify as convicted attackers and their families.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations will retain a waiver under the UN Headquarters Agreement, allowing its regular staff to continue working in the United States even as individual Palestinian officials remain barred from entering the country.
Abbas had been expected to use his General Assembly address to press for international recognition of Palestinian statehood and renewed momentum toward a two-state solution. His planned appearance comes after the United Kingdom, France, Canada and other Western governments recognized Palestinian statehood this month.
His address was also expected to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as well as the rapid expansion of Israeli settlements and settler violence across the occupied West Bank.
The restrictions do not apply to Israeli officials. The State Department’s announcement comes despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Background
Last year’s visa ban drew criticism from Palestinian officials and UN human rights experts. They argued that the restrictions breach the United States’ obligation to allow individuals invited by the United Nations to travel to its New York headquarters.
They also argued that singling out Palestinian representatives while shielding Israeli leaders undermines Washington’s stated commitment to a negotiated peace.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.