Politics
The Trump administration has rejected the visa applications of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and dozens of officials in his delegation seeking to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Trump administration has rejected the visa applications of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and dozens of officials in his delegation seeking to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Palestinian officials, this is the second consecutive year that the Trump administration has prevented the Palestinian president from traveling to the United States and addressing the General Assembly in person.
Washington says the decision is based on national security concerns, actions deemed harmful to peace efforts, and certain other legislation under which the Palestinian leadership is to be held accountable. Palestinian officials have condemned the U.S. decision, calling it a blatant violation of the agreement governing the United States as the host country of the United Nations. Under the agreement, the U.S. is obligated to facilitate the travel of world leaders coming to attend UN meetings.As a result of the restriction, President Mahmoud Abbas is expected, as he did last year, to address the General Assembly via video link or through a prerecorded statement rather than appearing in person at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York.
