US Denies Palestinian Leader Abbas Visa For UN General Assembly

Politics27 sourcesSep 17, 2026

Leans rightFactual rigor 51/100

The Story

The Palestinian Authority on Thursday slammed a decision by the United States to refuse visas for its officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, to attend the UN General Assembly next week.

The US State Department stated it would deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials with the Palestinian Authority (PA) due to their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace. A source familiar with the matter confirmed Abbas was covered by the measure.

This marks the second consecutive year the Trump administration has barred the Palestinian delegation from traveling to New York for the UN General Assembly. Abbas is scheduled to speak on September 24. The UN General Assembly is due to vote on Thursday on a resolution allowing Abbas to participate by video or pre-recorded statements, as he did last year.

The State Department cited Palestinian efforts to pursue Israel at international courts, seek wider recognition of statehood, and continue payments to Palestinians jailed or killed by Israel. The decision extends sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA) and the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA).

The Palestinian foreign ministry called the decision an unjustified measure that runs counter to efforts to rebuild trust, develop Palestinian-US relations, and create the necessary political climate for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability. The ministry stated it was astonished at the US statement's disregard for substantive reforms carried out by the State of Palestine, including reforms to the social welfare system, financial, administrative, educational, and legal fields according to clear, transparent, and verifiable mechanisms.

What they agree on

The United States denied visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials for the UN General Assembly.
This marks the second consecutive year the Trump administration has taken this action.
The US State Department cited the Palestinian Authority's failure to reform, efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through international courts, and continued payments to individuals involved in terrorism as reasons for the denial.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the US decision as an "unjustified measure" and stated it contradicts efforts to rebuild trust and achieve peace.
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to vote on Thursday on a resolution to allow President Abbas to address the body by video.

Where they split

RT (Russia Today) and Middle East Eye emphasize the contrast between the US denying Abbas a visa while senior US officials have met with Hamas leaders several times since 2025.
The Daily Wire and PJ Media focus on the US State Department's accusations of the Palestinian Authority "continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and glorify acts of terrorism and terrorists in public pronouncements and school textbooks."
Africanews and The Guardian highlight the Palestinian foreign ministry's statement that the decision is "unjustified" and disregards reforms carried out by the State of Palestine.
Reuters and Deutsche Welle provide more detail on the 1947 UN "headquarters agreement" and the US position on denying visas for security, extremism, and foreign policy reasons.