The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 8. The high-level meetings and general debate in New York will take place from September 22 to 28, with Mahmoud Abbas expected to speak on September 24.
The General Assembly adopted a draft resolution calling on the United States to reverse its decision preventing the Palestinian delegation from attending the session in person. The resolution was supported by 152 countries, while the United States, Israel and Paraguay voted against it. Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Peru abstained.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision and argued that Washington’s position clearly violates the United Nations Charter. The ministry said the vote had thwarted an attempt to prevent Palestine from participating in the high-level meetings.
Washington’s rationale for the visa restrictions
For the second consecutive year, the US administration blocked visas for the senior Palestinian delegation to attend the General Assembly meetings in New York. On Wednesday, Washington extended visa restrictions on members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority.
The US State Department cited Palestine’s initiatives at 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 decision.
Washington also argued that the Palestinian side continued making payments to individuals whom the United States describes as “terrorists.” The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the decision unjustified and inconsistent with efforts to rebuild trust in Palestinian-US relations.
Palestinian Authority emphasizes political solution
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said that the Palestine Liberation Organization is the legitimate and sole representative of the Palestinian people. The ministry said the Palestinian Authority remains committed to peace, international law, decisions on international legitimacy and a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders.
The statement rejected violence and terrorism and said the conflict must 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 will deliver address by video link
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the voice of the Palestinian people would reach the United Nations and that Mahmoud Abbas’s address would be delivered by 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. At the time, the United Nations said allowing virtual participation did not exempt the United States from its obligations under the UN Charter.
