US Extends Visa Denial for Palestinian Officials Before UNGA

The United States has once again refused visas to officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization before the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York. In a media statement released on Wednesday, the State Department accused the PA and PLO of not fulfilling their commitments. The department pointed to breaches of the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002.

Washington also cited the organization's initiation and support for actions that contradict prior pledges outlined in Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. The U.S. expressed concern over efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as involvement with the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

The PA and PLO were additionally censured for attempting unilateral recognition, providing financial support to terrorists, and promoting "acts of terrorism and terrorists" in their statements and educational materials. According to the statement, the U.S. will impose visa restrictions on PLO members and PA officials in compliance with section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Commitments Act.

This decision is seen as a consequence of the Palestinian side's failure to reform and adhere to U.S. expectations, as well as ongoing actions that undermine peace prospects. As a result, President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian leaders will be unable to attend the UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 22-26. The U.S. has previously imposed similar visa restrictions; in August 2025, 80 Palestinian officials were denied entry for the annual UN high-level conference.