US bars Palestinian President, 80 officials from attending UNGA meetings

CAIRO – 30 August 2025: The United States announced on Friday that it will bar Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials from attending next month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), amid rising diplomatic tensions over international recognition of the State of Palestine.

The decision comes after several U.S. allies reportedly pledged to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state during the upcoming UNGA summit, despite objections from both the U.S. and Israel.

“In accordance with U.S. law, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly,” read a statement from the U.S. Department of State. “The Trump Administration has been clear: it is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace.”

In response, the Palestinian Presidency expressed "regret and surprise" at the U.S. decision, calling it a violation of international law and the U.N. Headquarters Agreement. “This decision contravenes international law and the ‘Headquarters Agreement,’ especially since the State of Palestine is an observer member of the United Nations,” the statement said.

The Palestinian leadership called on the U.S. administration to reconsider and reverse the move, reaffirming its adherence to international law and its longstanding commitments to peace. The statement also referenced a letter from President Abbas to world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing Palestine’s commitment to international legitimacy and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

This latest development adds further strain to already tense U.S.-Palestinian relations and may fuel broader diplomatic friction during the upcoming UN General Assembly session.