US Blocks Mahmoud Abbas' UN General Assembly Attendance for Second Consecutive Year

The United States has refused to grant visas for Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and a senior Palestinian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly. This marks the second consecutive year Abbas's participation has been blocked. The US State Department stated on 16th that the Palestinian Authority has not adhered to previous agreements aimed at pursuing peace with Israel, citing ongoing legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as payments made to families of individuals detained for attacking Israelis.

The UN General Assembly voted 152 in favor, 3 against, and 4 abstentions on 17th to allow Abbas's virtual speech. Abbas is scheduled to participate virtually at the upcoming UN high-level meeting next week.