The United States has extended visa sanctions against Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation ahead of next week’s United Nations General Assembly, again preventing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the meeting in New York in person, Al Jazeera reported.
The State Department said Wednesday the restrictions were being extended because Palestinian officials had failed to meet commitments to Washington and had continued activities that the US says undermine the prospects for peace.
“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the department said.
Abbas has been denied a US visa for the General Assembly for the second year in a row. He spoke virtually to the gathering last year and is expected to do so again.
Washington has also condemned Palestinian efforts to file cases against Israel at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice and efforts to gain international recognition of a Palestinian state.
Despite the limitations, Palestinian diplomats with observer status will continue to represent the Palestinians at the United Nations.
