Abbas’s travel permit issue “technical glitch”

A senior Israeli official confirmed that no change has occurred to the travel status of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, following the circulated picture of a two-month temporary Israeli permit given to Abbas. Major Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the Israeli agency that issues travel documents to Palestinians, said there has been no change in policy, particularly concerning President Abbas’s status. He said the permit was the result of a “technical glitch that should be resolved soon.” "Freedom of movement ... remains exactly the same as it was," Inbar said. Israeli and Palestinian sources said that Israel gave two-month temporary travel permits to PA authoritative figures, including President Abbas, to pressure them to stop away from addressing the UN.