US Blocks Visa for Palestinian Officials Before UN Assembly
WHO:
The Guardian - Palestinian Authority (PA), Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas (President of the PA)
WHAT:
The Guardian - The US State Department stated that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had “failed to live up to their commitments,” accusing them of “taking actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ)” and of “glorifying terrorism.”
The Guardian - The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry described the visa sanctions as an “unjustified measure” that “contradicts the efforts being made to restore trust, develop Palestinian-US relations, and prepare the necessary political climate for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability in the region.”
The Guardian - The US State Department denied entry visas to Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
IJR - Mahmoud Abbas and dozens of his officials were denied entry visas, forcing Abbas to address the UN gathering virtually for the second consecutive year.
The Guardian - The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution to allow Abbas to address the gathering remotely.
WHERE:
The Guardian - The United Nations General Assembly gathering is taking place in New York.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution on a Thursday to allow Abbas to address the gathering remotely.
The Guardian - The UN General Assembly general debate begins on 22 September.
WHY:
The Guardian - The US cited the PA and PLO's failure to live up to their commitments and actions that internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as reasons for the visa denial.
IJR - The US cited deviations from US law and failure to reform by Ramallah as grounds for the visa bans.
HOW:
The Guardian - The US will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials as a consequence of their alleged failure to reform.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 17:59 UTC)
The US State Department has criticized the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization for not fulfilling their commitments, claiming they are attempting to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and glorifying terrorism. In response, the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry has called the visa sanctions imposed by the US an “unjustified measure” that undermines efforts to build trust and foster Palestinian-US relations, which are essential for achieving a two-state solution. Looking ahead, the UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution that would permit Abbas to address the assembly remotely on Thursday, September 21.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 16:01 UTC)
The US State Department has denied entry visas to Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, forcing Abbas to address the gathering virtually for the second year in a row. The UN General Assembly is scheduled to begin its general debate on September 22, and a draft resolution will be voted on to allow Abbas to participate remotely. The US cited the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization's failure to meet commitments and reform as reasons for the visa denials, which will result in extended sanctions against PLO members and PA officials.