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 around 80 Palestinian officials. The move, confirmed by the US State Department, has triggered strong criticism from the Palestinian Authority and raised questions over Washington’s compliance with international law.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, saying Palestinian leaders were undermining peace efforts by pushing for “unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.” The step comes as France, backed by the UK, Canada, and Australia, is leading a campaign at the UN to formally recognise Palestine — a move strongly opposed by Donald Trump’s administration.
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The UN Headquarters Agreement requires the US to allow entry for all foreign officials attending UN meetings, regardless of political disputes. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said discussions with Washington were ongoing to resolve the issue, stressing that all members and observers must be represented at the General Assembly.
Palestinian officials condemned the ban as a violation of international law. Ambassador Riyad Mansour said Abbas had been scheduled to lead the delegation in high-level talks. Israel, however, welcomed the decision. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Washington’s stance, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his opposition to a two-state solution, saying recognition of Palestine would be “a reward for Hamas’s monstrous terrorism.”
Palestine currently holds observer status at the UN and is recognised by 147 of its 193 member states. The push for recognition comes as the war in Gaza continues, with more than 63,000 Palestinians killed since Israel’s offensive began after the Hamas-led October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel.
The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, controls parts of the West Bank but faces challenges from Israeli settlement expansion and divisions with Hamas, which governs Gaza. While the US has allowed Palestinian representatives already stationed at the UN to attend meetings, the absence of Abbas and senior officials could weaken Palestinian participation in key discussions, including a planned high-level meeting hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on the two-state solution.
