US Denies Palestinian Leader Access to UN General Assembly

Sun Dec 21 2025 20:37:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is barred from attending the UN General Assembly after the US revokes his visa along with 80 other Palestinian officials. This controversial decision coincides with growing international support for recognizing Palestine as a state.

In a surprising move, the US government has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials, preventing them from attending the UN General Assembly in New York. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited concerns over peace processes and unilateral recognition of Palestine. The decision, which contradicts typical UN procedures, aligns with Israel's stance and comes as other nations push for Palestinian recognition at the assembly. Abbas's office has expressed dismay at the decision, arguing it contravenes international law and the US's obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been blocked from attending the UN General Assembly session in New York next month after he and 80 other Palestinian officials had their visas revoked, the US State Department confirmed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the revocation was due to their actions undermining peace efforts and seeking 'the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.' This decision, which has been welcomed by Israel, is notable since the US usually facilitates travel for officials attending the UN. The ban comes at a time when France is spearheading initiatives to enhance international recognition of a Palestinian state at the assembly, a move that has faced opposition from the Trump administration previously.

Abbas was initially expected to lead the Palestinian delegation at the international gathering, but the US decision has raised questions about compliance with existing agreements outlining the operations of the UN in the US. Abbas’s office expressed astonishment at the decision, highlighting that it stands in contradiction to international law, especially since Palestine holds observer status at the UN.

While the Palestinian representation at the UN mission in New York can still attend, it highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions as calls for international recognition of Palestinian statehood grow, further complicated by internal divisions between Palestinian factions and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.