Palestinian president denied participation in UN General Assembly

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials were rejected or refused American visas by the State Department late last month.

State Secretary Marco Rubio accused them of “establishing prospects for peace” and of seeking “the unilateral recognition of a supposed Palestinian state”.

The decision highlights the distance between the US and some of its allies, who have recently officially recognised Palestinian citizenship or announced their intention to do so.

It was an unusual move by the US, as the country is generally expected to facilitate the trip to officials of all nations wishing to visit UN headquarters in New York.

Abbasi's office at the time said the decision “is clearly contrary to international law”. Meanwhile, Israel welcomed this action.

It is unclear whether the US decision is in line with the UN See Agreement, which says the participation of foreign officials in the UN should not be hampered “despite relations” between their respective governments and the US.

Since then, the UN has voted to allow Abbas to address virtually the annual meeting of world leaders via video. /Periscope