August 30, 2025

The United States is stirring up a storm ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September. On Friday, the State Department announced it is denying and revoking visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA). This surprising move signals growing tensions as the world watches the peace process closely. Who exactly is affected? The State Department did not name specific officials. It's not clear if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who plans to speak at the UN gathering in late September, is included in this visa blockade. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinians' ambassador to the UN, said they are "checking exactly what the U.S. move means 'and how it applies to any of our delegation, and we will respond accordingly.'" Abbas' office did not respond immediately to requests for comment. This latest US action follows sanctions imposed on Palestinian officials and PLO members in July. While the US is tightening its stance, some Western countries like Canada, Britain, Australia, and France have recently shown signs they will recognize Palestinian statehood during the upcoming UN meeting. Talk about contrasting moves! Why is the US doing this? The State Department stated, "it is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace." But Palestinian officials argue the opposite, denying they have damaged peace efforts. Under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement, foreign diplomats normally get access to the UN in New York, but the US can deny visas for reasons like security and foreign policy. The State Department did mention that the Palestinian Authority's official UN mission is not part of these restrictions but did not say more. The background to this saga is the long-standing Palestinian quest for an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Many blame Israel's settlement expansions and harsh military actions in Gaza for killing hopes of statehood. Israel, however, denies these accusations. Adding spice to the story, close US allies have recently moved closer to recognizing Palestine, adding pressure on Israel as the fight in Gaza causes deep suffering. The coming weeks will be crucial as these diplomatic chess moves unfold on the global stage. Will this visa denial dim Palestine’s voice at the UN, or will it add fuel to fiery debates? Stay tuned!

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Tags: Us visa denial, Palestine liberation organization, Palestinian authority, Un general assembly, Mahmoud abbas, Us-palestine relations,