The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas He will not be able to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month, after the visa was recalled to him and to himself and to 80 other Palestinian officials, As confirmed by the US Foreign Ministry.

US Secretary of State, Mark Rubio, He accused the Palestinian leadership of undermining peacekeeping efforts and seeking “unilateral recognition of a hypothetical Palestinian state”.

The decision, which was accepted by Israel’s satisfaction, is unusual, as the US is expected to facilitate officials’ travels of all countries wishing to visit the UN headquarters.

The ban comes as France is leading international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state at the Summit – a move in which Donald Trump’s government has opposed.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, had earlier stated that, as head of his delegation, Abbas would attend the meeting of the Heads of State and Government in New York. However, a State Department official later stated that in Abbas and about 80 more Palestinians will be revoked visas by members of the Palestinian and Palestinian Authority (PA).

Rubio said the Palestinian representatives on the UN mission to New York could attend the meetings in accordance with the UN headquarters. It is not clear, however, whether the US moves to refuse or revoke visas is in accordance with the document, which stipulates that the presence of foreign officials in New York will not be obstructed by the US, “regardless of relations” between their respective governments and the US.

Abbas’ office was surprised by the visa decision, which “is in a clear opposition to international law and the UN headquarters agreement, especially because the Palestinian state is a member of the United Nations.” He also called on the US to undo the move.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the State Department’s decision.

In his announcement on Friday, Rubio said: “Before the HAP and the Palestinian Authority can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently renounce terrorism – including the massacre of 7 October – and end up with the suburb of terrorism.

He also said they should end their efforts to bypass the negotiations, resorting to international courts against Israel.

UN spokesman Stefan Duzarik said the UN would discuss with the US Foreign Ministry and hopes the issue will be resolved.

“It is important that all Member States, permanent observers, be able to be represented, especially I think in this case with, as we know, a forthcoming meeting on the solution of the two states that will host France and Saudi Arabia at the start of the General Assembly,” said Mr.

In addition to France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have also announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the General Assembly meeting next month.

The state of Palestine is currently recognized by 147 of 193 UN Member States.

But without recognized borders, with Israeli settlers controlling large parts of the West Bank – something illegal under international law – and with calls to be the same in Gaza, any recognition of a Palestinian state would not change much on the spot.