US refuses visas for high-level Palestinian delegation to UN General Assembly
State Department cites legal actions against Israel and payments to prisoners' families as reasons for refusing visas.
The U.S. State Department announced yesterday that it will deny visas to members of a high-level Palestinian delegation scheduled to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Reasons given by Washington
In its statement, the State Department said Palestinian leaders had failed to meet obligations from prior peace agreements and pointed to two developments as motivating the visa restrictions: continued legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and payments to families of prisoners convicted of attacks on Israelis.
“As a result of their failure to implement reforms — contrary to obligations undertaken to the United States — and because of their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will continue sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and representatives of the Palestinian Authority,” the State Department said.
The move is the latest in a series of measures by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at limiting travel and diplomatic access for Palestinian officials. It comes amid renewed tensions related to the war in Gaza.
Despite the refusal, Palestinian representation at the General Assembly will continue through the diplomats already accredited to the United Nations in New York. Last year, President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly by video.
Photo: press material from the event
