Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not be able to attend next month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York after the United States cancelled his visa along with those of about 80 senior Palestinian officials, the State Department has confirmed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Abbas and the Palestinian Authority of undermining peace efforts by pushing for the “unilateral recognition of a hypothetical Palestinian state.” The move, which has been welcomed by Israel, is unusual as the US traditionally facilitates the entry of world leaders and officials traveling to UN headquarters.
The development coincides with a French-led initiative to seek international recognition of a Palestinian state during the Assembly, a move strongly opposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, had earlier announced that Abbas would lead the Palestinian delegation. But US officials later clarified that the visa revocation applies to both members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Rubio stated that Palestinian representatives assigned to the UN mission in New York could still take part in meetings under the UN Headquarters Agreement, which regulates diplomatic presence in the United States. However, questions remain as to whether the US decision complies with the agreement, which requires the host country not to obstruct foreign officials’ participation regardless of political relations.
Abbas’ office described the US move as “astonishing” and in violation of international law, stressing that Palestine holds observer status at the UN and therefore should not be barred.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Washington’s decision.
The dispute comes as the broader Israel-Palestine conflict continues. Hamas controls Gaza while Abbas’ Fatah-led PA governs parts of the West Bank but faces mounting challenges amid settlement expansions. Despite past UN votes granting Palestine non-member observer state status, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected a two-state solution, calling recognition of a Palestinian state a reward for “Hamas’s monstrous terrorism.”
The war in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage, has claimed over 63,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
Rubio insisted that before the PLO and PA could be considered “partners for peace,” they must renounce terrorism including the October 7 attack end incitement in schools, and halt efforts to pursue Israel at international courts.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said discussions were underway with Washington, adding that it was “essential that all member states and observers are represented, especially given the upcoming meeting on a two-state solution to be hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.”
In addition to France, the UK, Canada, and Australia have all announced plans to recognise Palestine at the UN session. Currently, 147 out of the UN’s 193 member states recognise Palestinian statehood.
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