US Denies Visas to Palestinian Authority Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly
The United States announced on Friday that it will deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) for their participation in next month’s United Nations General Assembly, where France aims to advance the recognition of a Palestinian state, reports 24brussels.
This unprecedented action further solidifies President Donald Trump’s administration’s alignment with Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has intensified following the October 7 attacks.
Israel strongly opposes the formation of a Palestinian state and seeks to unify the PA with Hamas in its narratives against Palestinian governance.
The U.S. State Department, in a formal statement, confirmed, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.”
The administration emphasized that holding the PLO and PA accountable is critical to U.S. national security, particularly due to their perceived failure to meet commitments and the detrimental effects on peace prospects.
Moreover, the State Department accused the Palestinians of engaging in “lawfare,” a term previously used by Trump to describe legal challenges against him while in office, citing their recourse to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice for grievances against Israel.
It urged the Palestinian Authority to abandon efforts toward securing “unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed gratitude for the U.S. stance, stating on social media that he appreciates the support of the Trump administration in standing by Israel.
In contrast, the Palestinian Authority condemned the U.S. decision, asserting that it contradicts international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement. President Mahmud Abbas, a longstanding leader who once had amicable relations with Washington, had intended to attend the UN meeting, as noted by the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric highlighted the necessity for representation of all states and observers, including the Palestinians, at the summit scheduled for the day before the General Assembly’s commencement. “We obviously hope that this will be resolved,” he remarked.
U.S. and Israeli authorities have accused France and other nations of rewarding Hamas through their recognition of a Palestinian state, which they contend undermines peace efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron, frustrated by the prolonged Israeli offensive in Gaza, insists that delaying the peace process is no longer an option.
Following France’s lead, Canada and Australia announced their intentions to recognize a Palestinian state, while the UK has stated it will follow suit unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to protocols as the host of the UN in New York, the United States is generally expected to allow visas for officials attending the body; however, the State Department claims it remains compliant with this agreement by allowing the Palestinian mission.
Activists routinely advocate for the U.S. to deny visas to leaders from nations with poor human rights records, yet such requests are frequently dismissed. Historical precedents include the General Assembly’s 1988 convening in Geneva to hear PLO leader Yasser Arafat after the U.S. barred his entry into New York, and the denial of a visa to Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in 2013 due to an ICC arrest warrant on genocide allegations.
President Trump is expected to attend the General Assembly, where he will deliver one of the initial speeches during the leaders’ session, though his administration has notably reduced relations with the UN and other international organizations. This includes attempts to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the UN climate agreement, alongside imposing sanctions on ICC judges over an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
