Erdogan calls on US to reverse decision blocking Palestinian officials from UN

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Washington’s move to bar senior Palestinian Authority (PA) officials from attending the upcoming UN General Assembly, urging the United States to reverse course.

On Saturday, a US official confirmed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and around 80 members of his delegation would not be granted visas to attend the high-level gathering in New York. The assembly is expected to feature renewed diplomatic efforts, led by France, aimed at advancing recognition of a Palestinian state.

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The denial marks a rare step in UN diplomacy and further cements the Trump administration’s alignment with 'Israel'. The 'Israeli' government has long opposed Palestinian statehood.

Speaking with Turkish reporters aboard his return flight from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, Erdogan described Washington’s move as inconsistent with the UN’s mission.

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"We believe that the decision should be revised as soon as possible," he said, calling it "not in line with the raison d'être" of the world body.

Erdogan, who has repeatedly denounced 'Israel’s' assault on Gaza, again accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing “genocide” in the Palestinian enclave.