US Denies Entry Visa to Palestinian President Abbas for UN Assembly

The United States has refused to grant an entry visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian delegation, preventing them from attending the UN General Assembly in New York. This marks the second consecutive year Washington has denied Abbas a physical presence at the assembly.

The US State Department stated that the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are working to "internationalize the conflict," citing their actions at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. The US also accused these organizations of attempting to promote unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and of "supporting terrorists."

In response to the visa denial, the UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote today on whether Abbas can deliver a pre-recorded speech, a method he also used last year. The State Department confirmed it would extend sanctions on visa issuance for PA and PLO officials ahead of the upcoming General Assembly.

While the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement generally requires the US to allow foreign diplomats access to the UN in New York, Washington maintains it can deny visas on grounds of security, extremism, and foreign policy. An existing exemption for PLO observer mission staff at the UN remains in effect. The Palestinian Authority represents Palestinians at the UN, where its delegation is officially termed "State of Palestine," though it holds observer state status, not full membership.