- by Peter Farmer
- The Guardian
- Issue #2163
Photo: rawpixel.com (CC0)
The Palestinian Presidency has expressed deep regret and astonishment at the decision of the US Department of State not to grant visas to the Palestinian delegation scheduled to participate in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meetings in September.
The Presidency stressed that this decision stands in clear contradiction to international law and the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, particularly since the State of Palestine is an observer member of the United Nations.
The Presidency called on the US administration to reconsider and reverse its decision, reaffirming Palestine’s full commitment to international law, UN resolutions, and all obligations toward peace, as conveyed in President Mahmoud Abbas’s letters to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.
The Arab Islamic Ministerial Committee on Gaza also expressed deep regret at the US decision.
The Committee called upon the US Administration to reconsider and reverse this decision, stressing the importance of respecting obligations under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, providing an opportunity for dialogue and diplomacy, and building upon the positive positions of the Palestinian National Authority and its steadfast commitment to the strategic choice of peace.
The Committee also emphasised the need to support the Palestinian National Authority and His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas in advancing the government’s reform program and the commitments he reaffirmed to world leaders in support of the peace and in confronting violence, extremism, and terrorism, during the current difficult circumstance of unprecedented escalation against the Palestinian people.
It warned that weakening the Palestinian Authority will undermine peace efforts in the face of escalation, the spread of violence and continuation of the conflict.
