US denies Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visa for UN General Assembly

The United States has again denied Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, preventing him from taking part in person for the second consecutive year.

A Palestinian official confirmed the decision, which comes ahead of next week’s high-level UN gathering. The Trump administration has maintained visa restrictions on senior Palestinian officials, citing concerns over the Palestinian leadership’s actions toward Israel and its use of international legal institutions.

The US State Department said the restrictions were linked to Palestinian efforts to “internationalise” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through bodies including the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice. Washington has also cited other concerns involving commitments it says the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation have not fulfilled.

The Palestinian Authority has strongly objected to the decision, describing it as unjustified and arguing that it undermines efforts to rebuild Palestinian-US relations and create conditions for a two-state solution.

Palestinian officials have also pointed to reforms carried out by the authority in areas including administration, finance, education, social welfare and the legal system.

Despite the US visa refusal, Abbas will still be able to address the UN General Assembly remotely. On Thursday, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to allow him to deliver a video statement during the upcoming gathering. Reuters reported that the measure passed with 152 votes in favour, three against and four abstentions.

This will mark the second year in which Abbas has addressed the UN remotely after being prevented from travelling to New York.

The arrangement highlights an unusual clash between Washington’s immigration restrictions and the diplomatic role of the United Nations, whose headquarters are located in New York. Under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement, the US generally has obligations to facilitate access for foreign diplomats, although Washington maintains that visas can be restricted on security, extremism and foreign-policy grounds.

The dispute comes as the Palestinian issue is again expected to receive significant attention during the UN General Assembly. Several US allies have recognised Palestine as a state, while Washington continues to oppose some Palestinian diplomatic and legal initiatives.

The US decision has also drawn criticism from France. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called on Washington to reconsider the visa denial, citing the importance of the existing UN headquarters agreement.

Meanwhile, Palestinian representation at the United Nations will continue through accredited diplomats, while Abbas prepares to participate through a video address rather than appearing personally in New York.