Hamas criticizes US for refusing visas to Palestinian leaders

“ We condemn and denounce the decision of the US Government to deny entry visas for the second year in a row to the Palestinian delegation to New York to participate in the work of the United Nations General Assembly,” said the spokesman for the Palestinian Islamist group, Hazem Qasem.

The decision “is a flagrant violation of international standards and agreements that regulate the work of the UN headquarters,” he said, stressing that the measure “represents another step in the policy of total partiality in favor of Zionist [Israelite] occupation.”.

The spokesman also pointed out that the decision, also criticised by the Palestinian Government and Fatah – the political party to which the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, belongs – represents “an attempt to prevent the just Palestinian narrative from being presented,” said the Palestinian newspaper Filastin.

Hamas’ condemnation arises days after the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised Washington’s decision, classifying it as unjustified, and argued that “it is all about rebuilding trust, strengthening Palestinian-American relations and moving towards a two-state solution”.

The U.S. Department of State announced last week that it will continue to deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority due to the “lack of reforms” agreed with Washington and the “activities under way that undermine the prospects of peace.”.