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Marco Rubio bars senior Palestinian leaders, including Mahmoud Abbas, from the UNGA, citing US laws against Palestinian statehood.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Reuters Image)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio barred senior Palestinian leaders from attending next month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), citing US laws that prohibit recognition of Palestinian statehood and sanction the Palestinian Authority (PA) for so-called “pay for slay” payments to convicted terrorists.
Fox News reported, citing internal documents that Marco Rubio signed off on recommendations that would deny visas to officials of both the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), including President Mahmoud Abbas. The US State Department said the decision was made “in compliance with the laws and national security interests of the United States.”
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“Before they can be taken seriously as partners for peace, the PA and PLO must repudiate terrorism, lawfare campaigns at the ICC and ICJ, and the pursuit of unilateral recognition of statehood,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. The statement noted that while the Palestinian Mission to the UN would receive limited waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement, other visas would be revoked or denied.
While the US has previously blocked entry for individual foreign delegates- including members of the Iranian delegation- officials acknowledged that this is the first time Washington has barred an entire Palestinian delegation from attending the UNGA.
The sanctions, applied under the Palestinian Liberation Organization Commitments Compliance Act (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act (MEPCA), mandate at least 180 days of automatic visa denial for entities deemed to be violating US policy.
International Implications
Palestinian representatives have held non-member observer status at the UN since 2012, giving them a platform- though not a vote- in General Assembly debates. Marco Rubio’s decision marks a historic break from the US tradition of accommodating UN participation, setting the stage for diplomatic fallout with international bodies and allies who continue to recognize Palestinian representatives.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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