NEW YORK: The United States has refused to grant a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from traveling to New York to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly session in person.
In response, UN officials have allowed Abbas to deliver his address to world leaders through a video link, ensuring his voice is still heard at the high-profile gathering.
The visa denial comes at a time when momentum is rapidly building among several Western nations to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state.
Portugal announced this week that it has officially recognized Palestine, while countries such as Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Australia are expected to make similar declarations ahead of the General Assembly.
Earlier, Portugal’s Foreign Minister had hinted during a visit to London that such a decision was under active consideration.
Lisbon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now formally confirmed the move, marking a significant diplomatic shift in Europe. In parallel, the United Kingdom has indicated that it may also move to recognize Palestine within the month if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.
Washington’s decision to block Abbas from attending underscores the widening policy divide among Western nations on the Palestinian issue.
While the United States continues to align closely with Israel, a growing number of its allies appear determined to lend Palestine greater legitimacy on the world stage, highlighting an evolving fracture in the Western bloc’s approach to the conflict.
For Palestinians, these recognitions represent a rare and meaningful diplomatic breakthrough at a time when the war in Gaza shows no sign of abating. Civilian casualties continue to climb, fueling international outrage and amplifying calls for a halt to Israeli military operations.
Analysts argue that a wave of European recognition could place Israel and the United States in an increasingly isolated position diplomatically, while shifting the balance of the global debate on Palestinian statehood in favor of Ramallah.
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