US Denies Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Visa Ahead of UN General Assembly

UNITED NATIONS — The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, potentially preventing him from addressing world leaders in person for a second consecutive year.

The decision follows Washington’s announcement that it was extending visa restrictions on officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The US State Department said the restrictions were being maintained because it considers the PA and PLO to have failed to meet commitments under US law, including through actions it says seek to “internationalize” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The restrictions also relate to Washington’s accusations concerning the treatment of terrorism by Palestinian institutions.

Palestinian officials have rejected the US accusations, arguing that Palestinians have a right to pursue international legal and diplomatic avenues over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The dispute comes as the 81st session of the UN General Assembly prepares for its high-level debate in New York, with the Palestinian issue expected to remain prominent amid the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Abbas was also prevented from travelling to New York for last year’s General Assembly and addressed the gathering by video after member states approved his remote participation.

The General Assembly is expected to consider on Thursday whether Abbas will again be permitted to address the session remotely.

The issue has raised questions over the relationship between Washington’s immigration powers and its obligations as host country of the United Nations.

The UN Headquarters Agreement requires the United States to facilitate access to the UN headquarters district for representatives of member states, while Washington maintains that visa and entry restrictions can apply on security and foreign-policy grounds.

The US has also imposed broader restrictions affecting travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. A current State Department notice says visa issuance to people travelling on PA-issued or PA-endorsed travel documents is subject to suspension, with limited exceptions.

PALESTINIAN STATE RECOGNITION

The visa dispute comes at a time of increased international diplomatic attention to Palestinian statehood.

The State of Palestine is recognised by a large majority of UN member states, although the United States remains among countries that do not recognise it as a sovereign state.

Washington’s decision comes against the backdrop of the continuing Gaza conflict and international concern over civilian casualties, displacement and humanitarian conditions.

Israel says its military campaign is directed against Hamas and has defended its actions as necessary for its security. Palestinian authorities and international organisations have continued to raise concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

The war began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of hostages, according to Israeli figures. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has reported more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began, although figures from the ministry do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The visa dispute now leaves Abbas’s participation in the upcoming General Assembly dependent on whether UN member states approve another remote address.

Additional reporting by agencies.