"Driving the news: It was not immediately clear whether the State Department's announcement will prevent Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending next month's assembly. Such a move would be unprecedented. According to its host country agreement with the UN, the U.S. government is obligated to allow delegations from around the world to visit New York to participate in the General Assembly. The UN recognizes Palestine as an observer state, not a full member."
"What they're saying: The State Department said the decision is based on the Palestinian Authority's failure to clearly condemn the Oct. 7 attack, alleged incitement to terrorism in its education system, and its international lobbying for international recognition. Contrary to the U.S. claim, Abbas did condemn the Oct. 7 attack in an official letter sent to the French President Emmanuel Macron a few weeks ago. Another reason cited for the decision is the PA's "lawfare" campaigns against Israel in the international arena."
"One prominent example is the effort to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza. "The PA Mission to the UN will receive waivers per the UN Headquarters Agreement. The U.S. remains open to re-engagement that is consistent with our laws, should the PA/PLO meet their obligations and demonstrably take concrete steps to return to a constructive path of compromise and peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel," the State Department said."
"Several countries including France, the U.K., Canada, and Australia plan to soon join the nearly 150 countries that already recognize Palestine. Split screen: Possibly the most prominent debate during the general assembly will be over recognition of Palestine. Sources say the Trump administration is attempting to deter Abbas from issuing a "declaration of independence" during his speech to the assembly - a step the Palestinians are considering."
The State Department announced restrictions on Palestinian diplomatic engagement, raising uncertainty about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly. U.S. officials cite the Palestinian Authority's alleged failure to clearly condemn the Oct. 7 attack, reported incitement in educational materials, and international lobbying and legal campaigns against Israel as reasons. Abbas reportedly did send a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron condemning the Oct. 7 attack. The PA's pursuit of legal action against Israeli leaders is highlighted as "lawfare." The U.S. noted that the PA Mission will receive waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement and signaled conditional openness to re-engagement if concrete steps toward coexistence occur.
Read at Axios
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]