U.S. Blocks Palestinian Leaders Ahead of UN Assembly
Washington’s move sparks Palestinian outrage as Western nations prepare to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN meetings.
The United States announced on Friday that it has canceled entry visas for several Palestinian officials, barring them from participating in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York next month. The decision comes as momentum builds among Western nations to formally recognize the State of Palestine.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department declared:“According to U.S. law, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied and revoked visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the UN General Assembly,” without naming the individuals.
The statement accused the PLO and Palestinian Authority of failing to honor commitments, undermining peace prospects, and “not renouncing terrorism while inciting violence.” It also condemned Palestinian legal efforts against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
U.S. Blocks Palestinian Officials’ UN Entry Amid Rising Global Recognition
On X, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tommy Pigott added:“Before we take them seriously as partners in peace, the Palestinian Authority and PLO must unequivocally reject terrorism and stop their counterproductive pursuit of unilateral recognition of a virtual state.”
This comes at a time when international recognition of Palestine is gaining traction. In late July, 15 Western countries—including France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal—issued a joint call to recognize Palestine and push for a ceasefire in Gaza. More recently, the UK, France, and Australia announced their plans to recognize Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September.
Currently, 149 out of the UN’s 193 member states recognize Palestine, first declared in exile by Palestinian leadership in 1988.
U.S. Visa Ban on Palestinian Leaders Sparks Outrage
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep astonishment” at Washington’s move, stating that it violates the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, which requires the U.S. to facilitate entry for all UN member state representatives. Palestinian political aide Ahmad al-Deek stressed that barring officials—including President Mahmoud Abbas—undermines international law and UN agreements.
Meanwhile, Washington has recently lifted sanctions on violent Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians, despite having imposed penalties on Palestinian officials in late July for allegedly “internationalizing the war with Israel.”
For decades, Israel has occupied Palestinian territories, refusing to withdraw to pre-1967 borders or allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Backed militarily and politically by Washington, Israel continues its devastating war in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s campaign has killed 63,025 Palestinians and wounded 159,490, mostly women and children, with over 9,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced. At least 322 Palestinians—including 121 children—have already died from starvation due to the siege.
In parallel, Israel’s military escalation in the West Bank has resulted in at least 1,016 Palestinian deaths, nearly 7,000 injuries, and over 18,500 arrests.
