The World Is Recognizing Palestine. The U.S. Is Banning Its Leader.

The irony is that the American decision to silence Palestinian leaders comes at a time when Israel has been physically eliminating Palestinian journalists. Israel has killed more than 200 journalists in the past two years, including five in a hospital bombing just last week—all on the eve of a breakthrough among Western countries to recognize Palestine.

Already, 146 countries have recognized Palestine, and by the end of September, four-fifths of U.N. member states and most permanent members of the Security Council are expected to do so, including, this year, Australia, Canada, and the U.K. The U.S. and Israel are furious that the world is finally delivering on its long-stated commitment to a two-state solution, while Washington clings to leaders accused of genocide and man-made famine in Gaza.

Hanan Ashrawi, legislator and veteran of the Oslo peace talks, condemned the move: “Instead of expelling Israel as a rogue state from the U.N. and all its agencies, the U.S. is denying Palestinian representatives access to the U.N. for daring to seek accountability, protection, and justice.”