US cancels visas for Palestinian leaders ahead of UN General Assembly

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied visas to senior Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing them from attending next month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The State Department claimed the move complies with longstanding US laws that prohibit recognition of Palestinian statehood and impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) over alleged payments to individuals accused of attacks against 'Israelis'.

A statement from the department said the decision was taken “in compliance with the laws and national security interests of the United States,” adding that the PA and PLO must repudiate terrorism and halt unilateral efforts to seek recognition of statehood before being treated as “partners for peace.”

While permanent staff at the Palestinian UN mission will remain under existing agreements, the broader delegation will be barred from attending the assembly, marking the first time Washington has blocked an entire Palestinian delegation from the event.

The move is expected to spark diplomatic backlash, as Palestinian leaders have frequently used the UN platform to press for international recognition of statehood.