The U.S. State Department has denied visas to Palestinian Authority and PLO officials ahead of the UN General Assembly, extending sanctions against them for alleged actions that undermine peace talks.
The Trump administration has barred Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, from attending the gathering in New York, citing their role in internationalizing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The decision follows a 2025 ban that has been extended for the second consecutive year.
The move comes as the UN votes to allow Abbas to address the assembly via video, highlighting the U.S.'s stance on Palestinian representation and its impact on diplomatic relations. The sanctions are part of broader U.S. policies targeting Palestinian officials and pro-Palestinian voices.
The Palestinian Authority has condemned the visa restrictions as an unjustified measure, asserting that they contradict efforts to improve U.S.-Palestinian relations and advance the two-state solution.