The U.S. has denied visa access to Palestinian Authority officials and PLO members for the upcoming UN General Assembly, allowing only video appearances for President Mahmoud Abbas. The decision follows a pattern of sanctions under the Trump administration, which has targeted Palestinian leaders and pro-Palestinian voices.
The State Department cited failures in reform and actions that undermine peace efforts, including support for groups deemed to undermine the two-state solution. Abbas was previously denied a visa last year, forcing him to address the assembly via video. The move has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials and international allies.
The U.S. decision places it at odds with nations like France that recognize Palestine as a state. The UN has allowed Abbas to speak via video for the second consecutive year, reflecting ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Palestinian leadership over political and security concerns.
The U.S. has historically used visa sanctions as a tool to influence foreign policy, a practice that has included targeting Palestinian leaders and critics of Israel, including sanctions against ICC officials and efforts to deport pro-Palestinian protesters.