US denies visas to Palestinian delegation for UN meeting
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has denied visas for a high-level Palestinian delegation to attend an annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations for the second year in a row, reports BritPanorama.
The State Department stated Wednesday that Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, had failed to fulfill their commitments under previous agreements to seek peace with Israel.
In a formal statement, the department noted that the Palestinian Authority had continued to pursue legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court while also maintaining stipends to families of prisoners convicted of attacks against Israelis. This included officials linked to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials” in accordance with standing U.S. law, the department added.
This decision marks another step by the Trump administration to restrict visas, reinforcing the close U.S. alliance with Israel, which has been facing international isolation following the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. While a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, Israel has continued military operations in the Palestinian territory.
The denial of visas aligns with the Trump administration’s broader campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, accusing it of attempting to unfairly prosecute U.S. and Israeli soldiers for alleged crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Gaza. It is worth noting that both Israel and the United States are not members of the global tribunal.
Despite the visa denials, Palestinians will still be represented at next week’s high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly by diplomats already accredited to the United Nations. Last year, Abbas participated via video link.
