https://arab.news/2uge5
The Trump administration decided last week to revoke the visas previously given to the Palestinian Authority leadership. Unless the decision is rescinded soon, canceling their visas will prevent the delegation from physically taking part in the UN General Assembly’s 80th session, which will start later this month in New York. Issues related to Palestine, including Gaza, the West Bank and independence, are expected to be high on the UN’s agenda. It will also have serious repercussions for the US’ standing in the region and around the world.
Saudi Arabia and France are going to host a high-level conference on the margins of the UNGA session — probably the most important high-level meetings held at the UN in some time — on the implementation of the two-state solution. In the words of French President Emmanuel Macron, this conference could be a “decisive turning point for peace and security for all in the region.”
These two countries have championed the cause of completing the circle of recognitions of the state of Palestine. On Tuesday, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said his country will recognize an independent Palestinian state at the UNGA, making Belgium the most recent addition to the list of countries planning such action in New York. Prevot also announced “firm sanctions” on the Israeli government.
