Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed that senior Palestinian Authority officials be barred from attending the gathering of world leaders from September 23 to 29. The move comes after the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were placed under sanctions for breaching US laws, including the 1989 PLO Commitments Compliance Act and the 2002 Middle East Peace Commitments Act.
According to the memo obtained by the New York Post, all visas issued to Palestinian officials before July 31 are to be revoked, and no new visas will be granted, including to Abbas himself.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the decision was taken "in accordance with US law and national security interests." He added, "Secretary Rubio is revoking the visas of senior Palestinian Authority and PLO officials ahead of the General Assembly. To be considered serious partners for peace, the Palestinians must reject terrorism, abandon lawfare campaigns at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and halt unilateral moves toward recognition of a Palestinian state."
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the sanctions were imposed due to "unilateral declarations of statehood, glorification of violence, encouragement of antisemitism and material support for terrorism, including paying salaries to terrorists."
The memo further noted that Abbas had planned to announce a "constitutional declaration" at the Assembly, including a proclamation of Palestinian independence. Washington views the move as a deliberate escalation, particularly after last month's "Two States Conference" hosted by France and Saudi Arabia at the UN, with a follow-up session planned during the upcoming General Assembly. Several Western countries, including the UK, France and Canada, have already indicated their intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the session.
US officials fear that boosting the Palestinian Authority's international legitimacy would also be seen as a political victory for Hamas and could reward terrorism. The State Department memo warned that the planned French-Saudi conference would serve as a "propaganda victory for Hamas" and undermine Washington's ability to shape cease-fire talks and post-war arrangements in Gaza.
The move sets a precedent: this is the first time the US has blocked an entire foreign delegation from attending the UN's high-level week. However, it is not the first time Washington has barred a Palestinian leader. In 1988, the Reagan administration denied a visa to PLO chairman Yasser Arafat due to his ties to terrorism. The decision drew protests and ultimately led the UN to relocate its meeting to Geneva, where Arafat addressed the Assembly.
Despite the sweeping restrictions, the State Department clarified that the Palestinian UN mission will continue to operate under special exemption as required by the host country agreement, allowing diplomatic staff to work in New York. However, senior political figures will not be included.
