Key facts
- The US extended visa restrictions against Palestinian officials and PLO members.
- The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry rejected the US decision.
- Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin stated the measures undermine peace and a two-state solution.
- The restrictions prevent Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior officials from travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly.
- The US state department cited the Palestinian Authority and PLO's failure to meet commitments to pursue peace with Israel and their continued legal action against Israel.
The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry has rejected the United States’ decision to extend visa restrictions on officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly. Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin stated the restrictions undermine efforts towards peace and a two-state solution. The US move prevents Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior officials from travelling to New York for the second consecutive year. The US state department said the Palestinian Authority and PLO had failed to meet commitments to pursue peace with Israel and cited their continued legal action against Israel and efforts to “internationalise” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.