US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian officials ahead of UN General Assembly in New York
“The US State Department said on Wednesday that it would extend visa sanctions denying entry to members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA), d…”
The State Department said it reported to Congress that the PLO and PA had again failed to meet commitments under US laws, citing actions at international organisations including "taking actions to internationalise the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).
"It also cited Palestinian officials’ efforts to "bypass negotiations through seeking unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state. The department also accused the PLO and PA of continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and "glorifying terrorism".
Read:Trump administration plans $2.8 billion munitions sale to Israel, sources say“As a consequence of their failure to reform... the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the department said in a statement. The measures come ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which begins next week in New York.
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The announcement follows a similar US move last year, when Washington denied or revoked visas for PLO and PA officials ahead of the 2025 General Assembly. The PA Mission to the UN received waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was unable to attend last year's General Assembly in person and addressed the gathering virtually. The Palestinian side did not immediately issue a public response to Wednesday’s US visa announcement.
Anadoluasked the State Department earlier whether it had made a final determination on visas for Abbas and the Palestinian delegation, and the legal basis for any visa denials or restrictions. Read more:Senator Mushahid says 9/11 promoted 'Greater Israel' agenda, caused US decline.
State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Paloma Chacan responded in an emailed statement that the Trump administration considers “every visa decision a national security decision,” including for the participants of the UN General Assembly.
“While we take seriously our obligations as a host country to the UN, we will continue to protect Americans by upholding the highest standards of vetting and screening for all applicants,” Chacón said.
She added that delegations had been given guidance on visa applications ahead of the General Assembly and that failure to meet vetting standards or comply with other guidance could result in visa denial.
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