Media reports indicate that there are growing calls to move the United Nations General Assembly session from New York to Geneva after the United States denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation. Important decisions regarding the recognition of Palestine are expected to be made at the session. According to media reports, high-level debates are scheduled from September 23 to 27, with the session concluding on September 29.
The Trump administration refused visas to approximately 80 Palestinian officials. This follows a precedent from 1988, when the U.S. also barred PLO leader Yasser Arafat from traveling to New York. This is the first time in UN history that such a blanket ban has been attempted, with the apparent goal of preventing participation in one of the most significant events in Palestinian history since the Oslo Accords.
Under a 1947 UN “headquarters agreement,” the U.S. is generally obligated to allow foreign diplomats access to the UN in New York. However, Washington maintains that it can deny visas for reasons related to security, extremism, and foreign policy. A one-day General Assembly conference on the two-state solution is set to be held on September 22 in New York. Abbas was scheduled to attend this conference, which is being led by Saudi Arabia and France. The session may see Britain, France, Australia, Canada, and other countries formally recognize Palestine as a state.
Per Clausen, a Danish Member of the European Parliament, has proposed moving the UN session to Geneva, urging Europe to take the lead in this suggestion. He argued that Palestinians’ rights should be recognized and that President Trump’s action sends a clear message. Israel and the U.S. are reportedly upset with several Western allies who have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN.
Currently, at least 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognize a Palestinian state. The Palestinians hold observer status at the UN, a status also held by the Holy See (Vatican).
Furthermore, international critics argue that Israel’s new plan, which involves demilitarizing the entire strip while Israel assumes security control, could worsen the humanitarian crisis for the 2.2 million population facing a critical risk of famine. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had stated that Israel had no alternative but to complete its mission and defeat Hamas, given that the Palestinian group had refused to lay down its arms. In response, Hamas said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.
Since the war with Hamas began on October 7, 2023, Israel has already taken control of 75% of Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The initial Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. Israeli authorities claim that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are still alive. Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israel’s military assault has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire population, and left a large part of the territory in ruins.
