The United States has barred Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending next month’s UN General Assembly, after revoking his visa along with those of about 80 Palestinian officials.
The move, confirmed by the US State Department, has drawn sharp criticism from the Palestinian Authority and sparked questions about Washington’s compliance with international law.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision was made because Palestinian officials were undermining peace efforts and seeking “unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.”
The ban comes as France, backed by the UK, Canada and Australia, is leading a campaign to recognise Palestine at the UN session — a step strongly opposed by Donald Trump’s administration.
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The UN Headquarters Agreement, which regulates the presence of foreign officials in New York, states that the US must not restrict attendance “irrespective of the relations” it has with governments.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said discussions were under way with the State Department to resolve the matter, stressing the importance of all members and observers being represented.
Palestinian response and Israeli support
Abbas’ office condemned the move as a “clear contradiction to international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement.” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said Abbas had been scheduled to lead the delegation at the summit of world leaders.
Israel, however, welcomed the decision. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Washington’s stance, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of a two-state solution, calling recognition of Palestine “a reward for Hamas’s monstrous terrorism.”
Palestine currently enjoys observer status at the UN and is recognised by 147 of its 193 member states.
France’s initiative to formalise recognition of a Palestinian state comes amid the continuing Gaza war, where more than 63,000 people have been killed since Israel’s offensive began following the Hamas-led October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel.
The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, governs parts of the West Bank but has struggled to assert control due to Israeli settlement expansion and internal divisions with Hamas, which rules Gaza.
The US has allowed Palestinian representatives already stationed at the UN mission in New York to attend meetings.
However, the exclusion of Abbas and senior officials could undermine Palestinian participation in critical discussions, including France and Saudi Arabia’s planned high-level meeting on the two-state solution.
