US Denies Travel for Palestinian Leader Abbas Ahead of UN Meeting

The United States has announced it will prevent Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas from attending an upcoming United Nations meeting in New York, where several US allies are expected to formally recognize Palestine as a state. This decision, confirmed on Friday, affects Mr. Abbas and approximately 80 other officials from the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the PA.

Mr. Abbas had planned to participate in the annual high-level session of the UN General Assembly at its headquarters in Manhattan. Additionally, he was set to attend a summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, where countries including Britain, France, Australia, and Canada have pledged to recognize Palestinian statehood. The PA expressed its astonishment at the US visa decision, arguing that it breaches the UN “headquarters agreement,” which obligates the US to grant access to foreign diplomats.

According to the US State Department, the decision to revoke visas is based on accusations that the PA and PLO have not adequately denounced extremism while seeking unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Palestinian officials dispute these claims, stating that years of US-mediated negotiations have failed to end the Israeli occupation and achieve statehood. The State Department justified its stance, asserting that it is essential for national security to hold both the PA and PLO accountable for their actions.

The PA’s mission to the UN, which includes officials permanently based in New York, will not be affected by these restrictions. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN, indicated that the organization will address the visa situation with the State Department, in accordance with the established agreements between the UN and the US.

This move echoes a similar incident in 1988 when the US denied a visa to PLO leader Yasser Arafat, leading to a UN meeting being held in Geneva instead. The State Department reiterated its demand for the PA and PLO to consistently reject terrorism, referencing the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The decision received backing from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who expressed approval of the US stance. Tensions remain high as Israel and the US have voiced concerns regarding the growing support from several allies for Palestinian recognition at the UN.

The pledges from Western nations to recognize Palestinian statehood reflect mounting frustration over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, which many view as detrimental to the prospects of establishing a viable Palestinian state.

Currently, at least 147 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine as a state. The Palestinians maintain observer status at the UN, similar to that of the Holy See. They seek to establish a state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The US maintains that any establishment of a Palestinian state must come through direct negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities.