On August 29 local time, the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed "deep regret and shock" at the US decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials who plan to attend next month's UN General Assembly.
The Office considers,"This decision violates international law and the United Nations Headquarters Agreement."。 Abbas's office called on the U.S. to reconsider and rescind the move, and to reaffirm Palestine's commitment to international law, UN resolutions and all peace obligations.
Earlier that day, the U.S. State Department said it would refuse to issue and cancel visas for members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian National Authority before the United Nations General Assembly in September.This restriction means that the Palestinian National Authority chairman, Palestinian President Abbas, is likely not to go to New York to attend the UN General Assembly and deliver a speech as in previous years.