Marco Rubio Says He’s Blocking Palestinians from Coming to UN Meeting where Statehood is on the Table

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who had been scheduled to attend, decried the move; Israel applauded it.

By: Grace Gilson – Jewish Telegraphic Agency; jta.org

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that he is “denying and revoking” the visas of Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly next month.

The unprecedented move will prevent members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority from attending the General Debate where several countries, including Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, have announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood.

“The Trump Administration has been clear: it is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” Rubio said in a statement.

The move represents a major break with precedent. The United States typically allows foreign leaders to attend U.N. meetings even if they are on the outs with the U.S. government. Iranian officials and Russian officials have regularly attended meetings at the U.N., for example.

cont’d…

Marco Rubio says he’s blocking Palestinians from coming to UN meeting where statehood is on the table