ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated:

Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider the US's decision to ban PA President Mahmoud Abbas from the UN General Assembly this month, Axios reported on Tuesday. 

Last Friday, the US announced that it would not allow Palestinian officials and diplomats, including Abbas, to attend the UNGA in New York. 

In a statement, the State Department reiterated longstanding US and Israeli allegations that the PA and PLO had failed to repudiate terrorism while pushing for “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state.

Al-Sheikh's letter, which was dated August 30, said that Abbas said in a June 8 letter to US President Donald Trump that he "categorically condemned violence and terrorism, including the attacks of October 7."

Al-Sheikh added that the PA is ready to initiate legislative and presidential elections within a year of the end of the war in Gaza, along with governing Gaza and engaging in peace negotiations.

The Jerusalem Post previously reported in June that Abbas praised Hamas's October 7 massacre for achieving "important goals."

US President Donald Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands as they conclude their remarks after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem May 23, 2017.
US President Donald Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands as they conclude their remarks after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem May 23, 2017. (credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST)

In an interview published in June by the PA's official daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, and exposed by Palestinian Media Watch, Abbas described the attack in terms that focused on its “strategic impact” against Israel, ignoring the casualties and the hostages.

PA VP discusses war in Gaza with Putin's envoy

Additionally, on Tuesday, Al-Sheikh discussed the war in Gaza and denied visas to the Palestinian delegation to the UN with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and the envoy to President Vladimir Putin. 

According to Al-Sheikh's post on X/Twitter, they also discussed the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as aid to Gaza.

"Together with the Russian deputy foreign minister, I affirmed the continuation of close coordination between the State of Palestine and the Russian Federation to confront current challenges and to strengthen international efforts to convene the peace conference in New York on its scheduled date of September 22."

Ohad Merlin contributed to this report.