The United States has announced that it will refuse visas to members of the Palestinian Authority, effectively barring them from attending a UN General Assembly summit focused on recognizing a Palestinian state. The decision, confirmed by the State Department, is part of a broader US policy targeting Palestinians through travel restrictions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and around 80 other officials, although exceptions were made for Palestinian representatives assigned to the UN mission in New York.
This move is seen as a significant development in the US stance on Palestinian statehood, with the Palestinian Authority condemning the decision as a breach of international law. The US action has sparked diplomatic tensions, particularly with France, which is leading the push for UN recognition of a Palestinian state. The upcoming UN General Assembly meeting is expected to draw attention to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with various countries weighing in on the issue.
In related news, the US is reportedly pressuring countries to boycott the UN summit on Palestine recognition, warning of diplomatic consequences for supporting Palestinian statehood. This diplomatic maneuvering underscores the complexities and challenges in achieving a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
