27 OCTOBER 2020

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today¡¯s noon briefing by St¨¦phane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:? Okay. My second question about Palestinian singer, Mohammed Assaf. ?He was Goodwill Ambassador for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA?[United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] for some time. ?He¡¯s the winner of?Arab Idol, and he came and performed here in the United Nations. ?He used to cross the bridge to the West Bank and perform repeatedly. ?He¡¯s very popular, and he¡¯s a nationalist, as well. ?So, Israel revoked his permission to enter the Palestinian territory for no reason except that he sings sometimes for the cities of Haifa, Acre and Nazareth. ?Is that a crime, in the view of the Secretary?General?

Spokesman:? I have¡­ listen, let me take a look. ?I had not heard anything about¡­ I remember the person in question, but let me take a look.

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For information media. Not an official record.