Overview
- The State Department announced Wednesday that it is extending visa restrictions that bar members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials from entering the United States.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was reported to be covered by the measure and has been denied a U.S. visa for the second straight year, forcing his likely return to a virtual address at the General Assembly.
- The department justified the step by saying the PLO and PA repeatedly failed to meet commitments under U.S. laws, citing their cases at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, efforts for unilateral recognition and alleged payments tied to attackers.
- The restrictions preserve a standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations so accredited Palestinian diplomats can continue UN work in New York.
- The decision drew sharp Palestinian criticism, prompted France to call on Washington to reconsider, and drew attention when the U.S. approved visas for Iran’s core UN delegation in the same week, deepening diplomatic tensions and raising questions about host‑country obligations.