The State Department announced the visa denial on Wednesday, citing the PA’s persistence in pursuing legal action against Israel at the ICJ and ICC, and its continued payment of stipends to families of prisoners convicted of attacks on Israelis.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. would extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials, adding that the action is "a consequence of their failure to reform and undermine prospects for peace."
This marks the second consecutive year the U.S. has blocked Palestinian officials from attending the UN General Assembly’s annual high‑level meeting. The first‑time denial came in 2025 after similar accusations of non‑compliance with peace‑building commitments.
Israeli officials welcomed the move, while Palestinian diplomats said they will still be represented by already accredited staff. Abbas appeared via video in 2025, but the physical presence is now barred.
The United States is expected to announce further sanctions in a forthcoming State Department briefing on June 5, and the UN is preparing to continue the meeting without a PA representative on the floor.
A family in Gaza’s Khan Younis says the stipends they receive from the PA help cover medical expenses for children who fell victim to recent strikes, underscoring how the visa denial and sanctions ripple through ordinary lives.