Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered visa denials and revocations for members of the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization before next month’s UN gathering.
• Internal guidance recommends rejecting applications for senior officials, potentially including Mahmoud Abbas, and canceling visas issued before July 31, though officials have not named who is affected.
• Limited waivers will allow permanent staff and dependents at the Palestinian UN Observer Mission to travel under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
• Officials cite PLOCCA and MEPCA findings, referencing the PA’s stipend payments tied to attacks, alleged incitement, and ICC/ICJ “lawfare,” while stating the U.S. could re-engage if those practices end.
• The move is described as unprecedented for an entire delegation and is expected to heighten friction with allies planning to recognize a Palestinian state while testing U.S. obligations as UN host state.