She confirmed that the decision contradicts international law and the ‘Headquarters Agreement,’ especially since Palestine holds observer status at the United Nations. The Palestinian presidency called on the American administration to ‘reconsider and reverse this decision,’ emphasizing its commitment to international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and all its obligations towards the peace process, as stated in the message from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to world leaders, including the American President, Donald Trump, according to the Palestinian news agency ‘Wafa.’
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to grant visas to Palestinian leaders to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings, scheduled for September, citing an old U.S. law that prevents the recognition of the Palestinian state and penalizes the authority for what is known as ‘paying compensations to terrorists.’
In a related context, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated today, Friday, that the decision complies with U.S. laws and takes into consideration national security interests, confirming the cancellation of visas for Palestinian leaders before the UN meetings.
France and Saudi Arabia chaired an international conference on resolving the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution, held at the United Nations headquarters on July 28 and 29.
