#un-general-assembly

#un-general-assembly

The General Assembly is the primary deliberative body of the United Nations and, in effect, of global diplomacy. This year's session will comprise delegations from all 193 UN member states, which all have equal representation on a "one state, one vote" basis. Unlike other UN bodies, such as the Security Council, this means all members have the same power when it comes to voting on resolutions. It is also the only forum where all member states are represented.

The US denial of visas for Palestinian officials who were to attend the UN General Assembly is yet another move to silence Palestinians. As world leaders are preparing to gather in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, one nation will not have any representatives: the Palestinian people. That is because the United States Department of State has decided to deny visas to Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UNGA session.

We call upon the American administration to reverse its decision. This decision will only increase tension and escalation, Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh told The Associated Press in Ramallah on Saturday. We have been in contact since yesterday with Arab and foreign countries, especially those directly concerned with this issue. This effort will continue around the clock, he said.