US Imposes Visa Ban on Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

The US administration has withheld entry visas from Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, prompting a sharp reaction from the Palestinian side.

Visa Denial and Its Rationale

In a statement by the US State Department, it was stated that the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization have failed to fulfill their commitments.

The statement included claims that Palestinian officials have taken steps to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and glorified terrorism.

Scope of Sanctions

With this decision, the US has extended visa sanctions targeting members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials.

This development marks the second consecutive year that the Trump administration has prevented the Palestinian delegation from attending the UN General Assembly in person.

Reaction from the Palestinian Side

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejected the US claims in a statement published on Thursday.

The ministry described the imposed visa sanctions as an unjust measure and shared its reaction to the decision with the public.

Situation of Mahmoud Abbas

Among the Palestinian officials banned from entering the United States is longtime President Mahmoud Abbas.

The United Nations General Assembly is expected to vote on a resolution to allow Abbas to address the meeting by remote participation.