U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has barred Palestinian officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority from attending the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
International media report that their visas have been revoked, with the officials accused of supporting terrorism and attempting to unilaterally establish a state.
This marks the first time the United States has barred an entire foreign delegation from attending the UN General Assembly.
Mahmoud Abbas has faced criticism for actions in the West Bank against Palestinian jihadist groups, which are reportedly aligned with the Zionist regime of Israel.
Hamas does not recognize Abbas’s leadership, accusing him of betraying the Palestinian people and serving the interests of the Zionist regime.
It’s worth noting that Abbas has occasionally used disparaging language against Palestinian resistance groups in his public statements.