The United States has denied a visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from attending this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York in person. The decision marks the second consecutive year that Abbas has been barred from traveling to the UN headquarters for the event.
The upcoming UN General Assembly session is expected to consider a resolution that would permit Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials to participate remotely via prerecorded statements or video conference. This approach would also apply to certain high-level UN meetings during the current session for Palestinian representatives unable to enter the United States. It remains unclear whether the United States will challenge the vote or simply oppose it.
US and Palestinian officials confirmed the visa denial following reports that the Trump administration planned to refuse Abbas entry. The State Department announced on Wednesday that it would extend visa sanctions against members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These measures are based on alleged failures to comply with the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002.
The US cited Palestinian actions in international forums, such as efforts before the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, as well as attempts to secure unilateral recognition rather than negotiate directly with Israel. Washington also pointed to continued payments to individuals involved in terrorist activities and alleged glorification of terrorism in public pronouncements and school curricula.
“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,” the State Department said. However, a waiver remains in place for staff formally assigned to the PLO Observer Mission to the UN.
Last year, a similar visa denial led the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution allowing Abbas to deliver a prerecorded address. That measure passed with overwhelming support, though Israel and the United States were among five countries voting against it. The resolution allowed Palestinian representatives to participate remotely in certain high-level UN meetings but included a stipulation that it applied only to the 80th session and was not intended to set a precedent.
Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon commended the US action and criticized Abbas, stating that the Palestinian leadership could not expect international legitimacy while allegedly supporting terrorism. “Anyone who wants to be part of the international community must first behave accordingly,” Danon said.
The forthcoming General Assembly vote will determine whether the remote participation arrangement will be extended for the current 81st session, enabling Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials to engage with the UN despite the US visa restrictions.