US Denies Visas to Palestinian Delegation Ahead of UN General Assembly; Second Year in a Row

Washington: The Trump administration has once again denied visas to senior Palestinian officials seeking to attend the United Nations General Assembly’s annual high-level session, barring a delegation led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the second consecutive year. The US State Department said Wednesday that the Palestinian officials had failed to meet commitments made under earlier agreements aimed at advancing peace with Israel. According to the department, the Palestinian Authority has continued legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Washington also cited the PA’s continued payments to families of prisoners convicted of attacks against Israelis, as well as the activities of officials associated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The State Department said the United States would extend existing visa restrictions to PLO members and PA officials, citing their alleged failure to undertake reforms and actions that Washington said undermine prospects for peace. The decision comes amid Washington’s close alignment with Israel as Israel continues to face international criticism and diplomatic isolation over its military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. A US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, but Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued despite the truce. The visa restrictions also coincide with the Trump administration’s efforts to challenge the International Criminal Court. Washington has accused the tribunal of pursuing US and Israeli personnel over alleged crimes linked to conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC. Despite the visa denials, Palestinian representation at next week’s UN General Assembly high-level session will continue through diplomats already accredited to the United Nations. Abbas addressed the assembly by video last year.