The decision by the US State Department to deny visa applications from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank has sparked reactions, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan taking a stance on the matter. Specifically, the Turkish president called on the US to “reconsider” their decision not to grant visas to members of the Palestinian delegation who were scheduled to participate in the UN General Assembly this coming September.
“This decision is not consistent with the purpose of the United Nations’ existence and should be reconsidered as soon as possible,” Erdogan characteristically stated to journalists during his return from China. “The mission of the UN General Assembly is to discuss global problems and propose solutions. The absence of the Palestinian delegation only pleases Israel,” he emphasized.
Erdogan’s claims
Erdogan continued: “I wanted to discuss this issue with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (…) I would like to know his opinion on the matter.” For his part, Guterres has not yet taken a public position on the issue.
The State Department announced that it is “revoking and denying” travel visas “for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority” (PA) ahead of the UN General Assembly, which begins next week in New York.
It should be noted that at this annual meeting, Washington’s allies are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority and the European Union are among many who have called on Washington to reconsider this decision.
State Department: the announcement
“The Trump administration reaffirms its commitment to not rewarding terrorism and is revoking the visas of Palestinian officials ahead of the UN General Assembly.
The Trump administration has been clear: It is in our national interest to hold the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority accountable for non-compliance with their commitments and for undermining prospects for peace.
Before the PLO and the Palestinian Authority can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently renounce terrorism including the October 7th massacre and end the incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as the PLO has promised.
“The Palestinian Authority must also end its efforts to bypass negotiations through international legal campaigns, including appeals to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and efforts to secure unilateral recognition of a potential Palestinian state.”
