US bars Palestinian president from UN trip

Washington has accused the Palestinian leadership of undermining peace while continuing to shield Israel from penalties The US has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York for a second year in a row.The ban comes as Washington continues to hold direct talks with Hamas and imposes no comparable restrictions on Israeli leaders.The US State Department said the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had failed to reform and were taking steps that “undermine the prospects for peace.” Washington specifically objected to Palestinian efforts to pursue Israel at international courts, seek wider recognition of statehood, and continue payments to Palestinians jailed or killed by Israel.The decision has again put Washington at odds with the UN. Last year, after the US imposed the same ban, the General Assembly voted 145-5 to allow Abbas to speak by video, with Washington and Israel opposing. UN experts said the US was violating its obligations as host of UN headquarters by preventing invited Palestinian officials from reaching New York.The PA remains the internationally recognized Palestinian administration,...