New york: Palestine on Friday denounced the US decision to revoke visas for Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, calling it a violation of the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement as countries prepare to recognize Palestine's statehood.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ahmed al-Deek, political adviser to the foreign minister, expressed deep astonishment at the decision, describing it as a flagrant breach of the 1947 Headquarters Agreement. This agreement, signed between the UN and the US, obliges Washington, DC, to facilitate entry for representatives, staff, and experts of UN member states, regardless of political relations.

Al-Deek called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and member states to address what he termed a clear violation. He emphasized that Palestinian leadership would consult with friendly nations to determine appropriate diplomatic steps. Al-Deek added that the US decision "will not stop the wave of recognition of the State of Palestine, nor the international consensus on the need to halt genocide, displacement, and annexation."

The Palestinian Presidency expressed "deep regret and surprise" over the US decision, declaring that the move "contradicts international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement." The statement highlighted that Palestine has observer status at the UN and demanded that the US "reconsider and reverse its decision."

Deputy Palestinian President Hussein al-Sheikh also urged the US to reconsider its position via US social media company X, emphasizing that denying the Palestinian delegation entry visas to New York for the General Assembly meetings "is against international law and the rules and laws of the headquarters."

Earlier, the US State Department announced the cancellation of visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the UN General Assembly in September. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a release that visas were being denied and revoked in accordance with US law.

Several Western countries, including France and the UK, have already announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN meetings. Meanwhile, Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories and rejects withdrawing to allow for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 borders.