US Denies Visas to Palestinian Leader Abbas Ahead of UN Assembly

The United States has refused to issue entry visas to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. This marks the second consecutive year the US has denied visas to Abbas.

The US State Department confirmed the decision, citing the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) failure to uphold commitments to Washington. Specifically, the department pointed to actions such as pursuing steps against Israel at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, seeking unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, and continuing payments to "terrorists" and their families.

Despite the visa denial for the delegation's attendance, the existing exemption for personnel of the Palestinian Permanent Observer Mission to the UN will remain in effect. Last year, Abbas was also denied a visa and had to deliver his address via video link.

Abbas reportedly sought assistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to influence the decision, asking him to raise the issue with President Donald Trump during a phone call. However, the US announcement indicates that this diplomatic effort was unsuccessful.

Abbas is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on the morning of September 24.