US Blocks Palestinian Officials from Attending UN General Assembly

The US State Department has denied visas to Palestinian officials and diplomats, prohibiting their participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York this September. This was reported by The New York Post.

The Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, Tomi Pigott, stated that in accordance with US laws and national security interests, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected and revoked the visas granted to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.

The memorandum also mentioned that Mahmoud Abbas was planning to present a 'constitutional declaration' from the UN podium aiming to declare an independent Palestinian state.