The United Nations General Assembly is a global platform where all countries gather to discuss pressing issues. However, the US has decided to bar the voice of the Palestinian State from being heard at the ongoing UNGA. The US denied Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas an entry visa, effectively preventing him from attending the assembly. This move has sparked controversy, as it is a gross violation of the UN-USA Headquarters Agreement signed on June 26, 1947.
The US cited two reasons for denying President Abbas a visa. Firstly, the PA has taken legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, challenging the legality of Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Secondly, the US claims that the PA glorifies or supports terrorism by providing financial stipends to families of convicted terrorists. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The US action has been met with widespread criticism, as it undermines the principles of the UN and the rights of its member states. The UN-USA Headquarters Agreement provides that the US shall not impose any impediments to transit to or from the headquarters district for officials, including state delegations and UN representatives. The agreement also states that visas shall be granted without charge and as promptly as possible. The US decision to deny President Abbas a visa is a clear breach of this agreement.
In a compromise move, it was proposed that President Abbas be heard via video link. However, the US opposed this move, with Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce arguing that the PA must stop subsidizing terror and stop using diplomatic theater as a substitute for serious governance. The matter was put to a vote, with 152 countries voting in favor of allowing President Abbas to speak, while only three countries, including the US and Israel, voted against.
Despite the controversy, President Abbas was eventually heard via video link, where he described the Israeli war in Palestine as genocide and urged humanity to act. He demanded that the Israeli attacks and military occupation of Palestine be brought to an end and called for a permanent solution to ensure the security and peace of both Israelis and Palestinians. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was welcomed by the US but shunned by many UN delegations, with 77 delegations walking out during his speech.
The controversy surrounding the UNGA has been further fueled by the presence of US President Trump, who arrived at the UN Headquarters on September 22. Trump had previously banned CNN from the White House, but the ban had no effect at the UN. He told CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins that he was surprised she was there covering him, saying that she should not be there. The exchange highlighted the tension between Trump and the media.
The UNGA has also seen a confrontation between the US and Iran, with US President Trump threatening to annihilate the Islamic Republic. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded, saying that his country will fight to its last breath and that it will not be bullied. The two countries held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA, which may be an admission that impunity and bullying will not pay.
Key points
- The US denial of President Abbas a visa to attend the UNGA has sparked controversy and criticism, with many countries voting in favor of allowing him to speak.
- The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- The UNGA has seen a confrontation between the US and Iran, with both countries exchanging heated rhetoric.
