US Denies Visas to Abbas and Delegation for UN General Assembly

The United States has denied visas for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for the second consecutive year, preventing them from attending the UN General Assembly in New York. The decision was first reported by Saudi channel Al-Hadath on September 17 and later confirmed by the U.S. State Department, according to the Associated Press. Abbas will once again have to follow the event remotely, as he did last year when he addressed the assembly via video link from Ramallah after being denied entry.

This year, the State Department cited U.S. law and the Palestinian leadership's failure to meet obligations and their continued actions that the U.S. deems an obstacle to peace with Israel. Specific U.S. grievances include Palestinian attempts to gain unilateral state recognition through international bodies, actions against Israel in international courts, and ongoing payments to families of individuals who have carried out attacks against Israelis.

However, the visa restrictions do not apply to accredited staff of the Palestinian mission to the UN, who will be allowed to enter the U.S. to continue their work. Abbas and his delegation were not granted this exception.

For Israel, Washington's decision is seen as a significant political signal of support from the U.S. administration. It links the visa issue to actions Israel has long opposed, such as international legal pressure and payments to the families of "terrorists." The AP views this move within the context of the U.S. administration's alliance with Israel and its opposition to the International Criminal Court potentially prosecuting American and Israeli citizens.

This development follows a period where the Palestinian Authority reportedly submitted numerous visa applications for the General Assembly, which Israeli media interpreted as a test of the U.S. stance. The U.S. response indicates no change in policy. The situation is particularly notable given that shortly before the visa denial, Abbas had spoken optimistically in Egypt about a shifting international position on the Palestinian issue, increased recognition of a Palestinian state, and growing sympathy for Palestinians in American public opinion.