Palestinian officials accuse US of ignoring reforms after Abbas barred from UN visit
"It is clear that the US has taken a position without considering the details,” a senior PA official claimed, referring to reforms the PA has begun introducing.
A Palestinian official criticized the United States for denying President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. This decision comes after the PA President has been barred from entering the US in both of the past two years. The official expressed disappointment with what they perceived as the US administration's disregard for the efforts made by the PA to implement reforms and comply with international commitments.
They claimed that the US made its decision without examining the details of the PA's reforms and highlighted that the issue appears to be more political than reform-based. This is the second consecutive year Abbas has been denied a US visa, forcing him to deliver his speech remotely. Palestinian officials had hoped for a more accommodating approach this year, but the US administration did not change its stance.
The official confirmed that Palestinian officials have attempted to pressure the US to reverse its decision, but these efforts have not been successful. The PA remains committed to pursuing diplomatic moves internationally, including continuing to seek recognition for a Palestinian state and supporting the Palestinians' cause. The US State Department recently stated that the PLO and PA have failed to fulfill their commitments, citing actions that internationalize the conflict and undermine peace prospects.
President Abbas' office rejected the US stance, asserting that pursuing international institutions and international law is a legitimate right and peaceful means to protect the Palestinian people's rights. They emphasized that international recognition of a Palestinian state is not a substitute for negotiations but a recognition of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and an independent state.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
