By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least 152 countries have voted in support of a resolution that states the US should reverse its decision to bar the Palestinian delegation from attending the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The US, Israel and Paraguay voted against the resolution while Colombia, Honduras, Panama, and Peru abstained.
The countries stressed that banning the Palestinian delegation from attending is considered a clear violation of the Headquarters Agreement.
The agreement, which is between the UN and the US, legally obliges Washington to facilitate the entry and residence of diplomatic delegations, member states and observers to attend the General Assembly meetings without any obstructions.
The Palestinian foreign ministry welcomed the resolution and said if it was adopted, it would effectively end any efforts to prevent its delegation from attending.
The foreign ministry said the visa sanctions were “an unjustified measure that runs counter to efforts to rebuild trust, develop Palestinian-US relations, and create the necessary political climate for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability”.
A statement on Friday from the General Secretariat of the Arab League also welcomed the resolution, stating it reflects the broad international opposition to the US decision to prevent Palestine from its right to conveying its voice and position to the international community.
The General Secretariat commended the positions of the nations that sponsored and voted in favour of the resolution, and denounced the US decision, calling on it to fulfil its legal obligations.
The development comes after the US State Department said on Thursday it had greenlit visas for an Iranian delegation and staffers to attend the session, but denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials visas.
The US accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) of “glorifying terrorism” and attempting to “internationalise” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinian officials have rejected this, stating they have the right to seek accountability for Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, and against an occupying force, in accordance with international law.
Reports on Friday said the UN General Assembly would allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to address the panel virtually next week for the second consecutive year.
The State of Palestine is currently recognised by around 75% of the UN’s 193 member states, including the UK, France, Canada and Australia.
