USA imposes visa sanctions on Palestinian President

The US State Department confirmed to the German Press Agency that Abbas and around 80 other representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) are affected by the sanctions. In their cases, existing visas will be revoked and no new ones issued. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is also listed in a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Denied visa is not a novelty

Abbas is the head of the Palestinian Authority. During the term of Trump's predecessor Joe Biden and also during Trump's first presidency, Abbas was always able to give speeches to the United Nations during the General Assembly. However, in 1988, the USA denied then PLO leader Yasser Arafat a visa to address the UN General Assembly. In response, a session was moved to Geneva so that Arafat could give a speech. In 1996, Arafat became the first Palestinian president.

According to the announcement, the official representation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) at the United Nations is exempt from the visa restrictions. The PA only has observer status and is not a full UN member.

How the USA justifies the move

The USA had already imposed visa sanctions against the PLO and the PA at the end of July. What is new is that entry permits that have already been granted are now also being withdrawn. The organization and the PA must first "consistently reject terrorism" before they can be considered as partners in the peace process, the US State Department explained the decision.

With the restrictions now imposed, a visit by Abbas to the UN has become extremely unlikely. The New York headquarters of the United Nations is located on territory with special status which, strictly speaking, does not belong to the USA. However, as it does not have its own airport, foreign delegations must first set foot on US soil before traveling there. This is not possible without a visa.

The autonomous authority led by the 89-year-old administers parts of the West Bank. The PLO is the official representative of the Palestinian people at international level. The Islamist Hamas, the second largest Palestinian organization, belongs neither to the PLO nor to the Palestinian Authority.

Several states want to recognize the Palestinian state

Several states, including France, Canada and Australia, recently announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly. Israel's government rejects recognition and describes such a step as a "reward for Hamas" after the massacre on October 7, 2023. Around 1,200 people were killed in the terrorist attack in southern Israel and more than 250 others were deported to the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations hopes that the USA will revoke the entry bans on Palestinians for the UN General Assembly in New York. It is important that all member states and permanent observers are represented, especially as there is to be a meeting on a possible two-state solution at the request of France and Saudi Arabia, said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. "We obviously hope that this will be resolved."

Israel is pleased - PA regrets the move

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, on the other hand, welcomed the move. In a post on Platform X, he thanked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for holding the PLO and PA accountable for rewarding "terrorism and incitement". Saar also thanked US President Donald Trump and his administration for "this bold step and for standing with Israel once again".

In a statement published by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abbas' office expressed its "deep regret and astonishment" at the US State Department's decision. The action violated international law. It is therefore hoped that the government in Washington will reconsider and revise this step.