Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of visas for Palestinian Authority and PLO officials — including Mahmoud Abbas — citing violations of US law and obstruction of peace efforts.
In a dramatic diplomatic move, the United States has revoked and denied entry visas for officials of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), just days before the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to the New York Post, the measure includes PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, whose visa has been rescinded under provisions of US law that restrict engagement with entities accused of undermining peace efforts.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the decision was driven by the need to “protect US national security by holding the PLO and PA accountable for violating commitments and obstructing peace.”
The official statement outlined clear conditions:
- The PLO and PA must reject terrorism, including the October 7 Hamas attacks.
- They must end incitement to violence in schools and public institutions.
- They must abandon legal maneuvers in the ICC and ICJ, which Washington says undermine negotiations.
- They must stop pursuing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
“These actions,” the statement stressed, “have contributed to Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and the collapse of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.”
The US clarified that the PA Mission to the UN will retain its waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement, allowing it to function in New York. However, officials made it clear that future engagement hinges on verifiable steps toward peace and coexistence with Israel.
This move underscores Washington’s growing impatience with Ramallah’s policies, while sending a strong message ahead of a high-stakes UN session.
