The US decision of the United States to deny visa to Palestinian delegation is widely criticised by many countries, including Europe and have suggested to hold UN session in Geneva instead of New York.
European Parliament member ‘Prick Lassen’ has demanded that the next UN General Assembly session be convened in Geneva so that all parties can participate without hindrance. According to him, it is the responsibility of the international community to recognize the rights of the Palestinians and this behaviour of the US should send a clear message to the world.
Palestine’s full membership in the UN has been under discussion for a long time. This is the first time since the Oslo Accords that such a large-scale decisive meeting is being held on this issue. The US decision has not only excluded the Palestinian leadership from the session but also created a new controversy in international diplomacy.
The US has denied visas to the Palestinian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly session, sparking a global backlash and increasing demands that the next session be held in Geneva instead of New York.
According to The Guardian, US authorities have denied visas to the Palestinian president and the entire delegation accompanying him. As a result of this decision, the Palestinian leadership will not be able to attend this important session of the General Assembly where historic decisions regarding the recognition of Palestine as a state are expected.
This is the first time that the entire Palestinian delegation has been prevented from entering the US. Earlier, in 1988, the US administration had prevented PLO chief Yasser Arafat from coming to New York, but this time the situation is even more unusual because he has been excluded from the meeting at a critical juncture in Palestinian history.
The UN General Assembly session begins today in New York and will continue until September 29. High-level discussions during the session will take place between September 23 and 27. During this time, resolutions and statements regarding the recognition of Palestine are being expressed.
Earlier, a one-day special conference was scheduled for September 22 to discuss the two-state solution. The Palestinian president was scheduled to participate in the meeting, which was led by Saudi Arabia and France, while the possibility of formal recognition of Palestine by Britain, France, Canada, Australia and other countries was being expressed.
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