US again denies Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visa ahead of UN General Assembly

WASHINGTON, Sept 17: The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, preventing him from attending the annual gathering in person for a second consecutive year, according to US and Palestinian officials.

The US State Department also announced an extension of visa restrictions on officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), citing what Washington said were failures to meet commitments to the United States.

The department said the PA and PLO had taken steps to “internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” including pursuing matters through the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. It also cited Palestinian efforts to seek recognition of a Palestinian state outside direct negotiations.

“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the State Department said.

US officials said the administration considers visa decisions to be national security decisions, including those involving participants in the UN General Assembly. The State Department said applicants must meet its vetting and screening requirements.

The United States took similar action last year, when Abbas was also denied a visa to attend the General Assembly in person. He subsequently addressed the gathering by video after UN member states approved a mechanism allowing his remote participation.

The State Department said it would maintain a waiver for personnel assigned to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations, allowing accredited Palestinian representatives to continue their work at UN headquarters despite the broader restrictions.

The Palestinian side had not issued an immediate public response to the latest US announcement.

The UN General Assembly is expected to consider whether Abbas will again be permitted to participate remotely, following last year’s arrangement.