OIC condemns U.S. denial of visas to Palestinian delegation ahead of UNGA, amid growing recognition of Palestine
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its deep regret over the US State Department’s decision to deny the Palestinian delegation visas to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, WAFA news agency reported on Saturday.
The OIC called on the US government to “reconsider this discriminatory decision, which contravenes international law and the Headquarters Agreement it signed, and to fulfil its obligations under this agreement and respect the role of the United Nations as an inclusive platform for all states and their official representatives,” the source said.
The OIC also urged the international community to take urgent action with the relevant US authorities to reverse this decision.
On Friday, the United States said it would not allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to New York next month for a United Nations gathering of world leaders, where several U.S. allies are set to recognize Palestine as a state.
A State Department official said Abbas and about 80 other Palestinians would be affected by the decision to deny and revoke visas from members of the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority.
Abbas had planned to attend the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly in Manhattan. He was also set to attend a summit there, where Britain, France, Australia and Canada have pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Abbas’ office said it was astonished by the visa decision and said it violated the U.N. “headquarters agreement.”
Under a 1947 U.N. “headquarters agreement,” the U.S. is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the U.N. in New York.
Accordingly, Several European foreign ministers arriving at a European Union meeting in Copenhagen on Saturday criticised the U.S. decision.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the U.S. move was “unacceptable.” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said the EU should protest the decision “in the strongest possible terms.”
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. would discuss the visa issue with the State Department.
At least 147 of the 193 U.N. member states already recognize a Palestinian state, with Palestine having an observer status at the U.N.
