By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The United States has extended visa sanctions against Palestinian Authority (PA) officials and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) members, blocking President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. The State Department announced the decision on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, citing what it described as the PA and PLO’s failure to meet commitments to Washington.
Abbas Barred From UN General Assembly
The decision means Abbas will miss the UN General Assembly in person for the second consecutive year.
A Palestinian official confirmed that the United States rejected Abbas’s entry visa ahead of the annual gathering. The General Assembly is scheduled to convene world leaders in New York next week.
The UN General Assembly is expected to consider allowing Abbas to deliver his address through a video statement.
Abbas also addressed the assembly virtually last year after the United States denied visas to several Palestinian representatives.
US Explains Visa Restrictions
The US State Department said the restrictions followed the PA and PLO’s failure to implement commitments made to Washington.
The department also accused Palestinian officials of seeking to internationalise the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through international organisations.
It specifically cited Palestinian actions involving the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.
Washington also criticised efforts to seek international recognition of Palestinian statehood outside direct negotiations with Israel.
The State Department further cited what it described as continued payments to people convicted of attacks and their families.
The department said the sanctions would remain in place because of what it called continued activities that undermine prospects for peace.
Palestinian Mission Retains UN Access
Despite the visa restrictions, the Palestinian mission to the United Nations will retain a waiver under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
The arrangement allows regular mission staff to continue working at the UN headquarters in New York.
However, the restrictions prevent affected Palestinian officials from entering the United States.
The situation has renewed debate over Washington’s obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
The agreement generally addresses access to the UN headquarters for representatives attending official UN business.
Abbas Expected to Address Palestinian Statehood
Abbas had been expected to use this year’s UN address to push Palestinian statehood recognition.
His expected message also included renewed support for a two-state solution.
The issue has gained fresh diplomatic attention following recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by several Western governments.
The United Kingdom, France and Canada are among countries that have announced recognition this month.
Abbas was also expected to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He was further expected to raise concerns over Israeli settlements and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Restrictions Draw International Criticism
The US decision has faced criticism from Palestinian officials and UN human rights experts.
Critics argue that visa restrictions could conflict with US obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
They also questioned the different treatment of Palestinian and Israeli officials.
No equivalent US travel restrictions currently target Israeli officials over the International Criminal Court warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC issued the warrant in 2024 over alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu and Israel have rejected the allegations.
Broader US Visa Restrictions
The latest decision comes alongside broader US visa restrictions affecting travellers using documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
A State Department policy effective from January 1, 2026, includes a suspension of visa issuance for people travelling on PA-issued or PA-endorsed travel documents, subject to limited exceptions.
The latest sanctions therefore extend a broader US policy toward Palestinian officials and PA-related travel.
The move is likely to keep diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Palestinian leadership in focus during the UN General Assembly.
