The United Nations General Assembly adopted a draft resolution calling for the reversal of the US decision preventing the Palestinian delegation from attending the 81st session in person. A total of 152 countries supported the resolution, while the US, Israel and Paraguay voted against it; Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Peru abstained.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the voting result and said the US administration’s decision was clearly contrary to the UN Headquarters Agreement.
US extends visa restrictions
For the second consecutive year, the Washington administration blocked the issuance of visas allowing a senior Palestinian delegation to attend the General Assembly meetings in New York. On Wednesday, the US extended visa restrictions targeting members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority.
The US Department of State cited the Palestinian initiatives before international organizations, its applications to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and its efforts to secure recognition of a Palestinian state outside the negotiation process among the reasons for the restrictions.
Washington also argued that the Palestinian side continued making payments to individuals whom the US describes as “terrorists.” The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the decision unjustified and inconsistent with efforts to restore trust in Palestinian-US relations.
Palestine reiterates commitment to a political solution
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Palestine Liberation Organization was the legitimate and sole representative of the Palestinian people. The ministry said the Palestinian Authority remained committed to peace, international law, resolutions on international legitimacy and a two-state solution based on the borders of June 4, 1967.
The ministry said violence and terrorism were rejected and that the conflict should be resolved on the basis of international law and legitimacy. The Palestinian Authority said it would continue working to protect the Palestinian people, defend their rights through political, legal and diplomatic means, and establish an independent Palestinian state.
Abbas to deliver speech via video link
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the General Assembly resolution had thwarted an attempt to prevent Palestine from participating in high-level sessions. The ministry said the voice of the Palestinian people would reach the United Nations and that Mahmoud Abbas’s speech would be delivered via video link at the scheduled date and time.
Abbas also addressed the General Assembly by video last year because he was unable to travel to New York. The United Nations said at the time that allowing virtual participation did not exempt the US from its obligations under the Headquarters Agreement.
Schedule for the General Assembly’s 81st session
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 8. The high-level session and general debate will be held in New York from September 22 to 28, and Abbas is expected to speak on September 24.
