The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an entry visa to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to two Palestinian sources who spoke to the BBC.
The development followed Washington’s announcement that it was extending visa sanctions against Palestinian officials, although Abbas was not specifically named in the announcement.
The US accused the officials of failing to meet their commitments under the peace process.
The sanctions were first imposed in August last year, when 80 Palestinian officials were denied visas to attend the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
In its statement, the US accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) of “glorifying terrorism” and seeking to “internationalise” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinian Authority was established under the Oslo peace accords, while the PLO was recognised through the same process as the official representative of the Palestinian people after it recognised Israel and renounced violence.
Palestinian authorities have not yet responded to the latest US announcement.
However, Palestinian officials have previously rejected the long-standing accusations made by the administration of US President Donald Trump and Israel, arguing that they have a right under international law to seek accountability against an occupying force.
Following last year’s visa decision, a representative for Abbas said the move was in “clear contradiction to international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement”.
Under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the US must facilitate access for foreign diplomats to the United Nations in New York. Washington, however, has maintained that it can deny visas on grounds including security, extremism and foreign policy.
At last year’s General Assembly, Abbas addressed world leaders and heads of state via video link after being unable to attend in person.
All 193 members of the General Assembly are expected to vote on Thursday on whether Abbas will be permitted to deliver a video address at this year’s meeting.
Around 75% of the UN’s 193 member states recognise the State of Palestine, including the UK, France, Canada and Australia.
Among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the US is the only country that does not recognise a Palestinian state.
The US decision comes amid warnings from the United Nations that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite a ceasefire agreed last October.
Israeli air strikes and other attacks have continued to hit populated areas, resulting in casualties and property damage while causing further displacement, according to the UN.
On Tuesday, Israeli air strikes killed at least five Palestinians, including two children and a Hamas commander, according to health officials and Hamas sources.
The Israeli military said it had killed a Hamas commander in southern Gaza and another fighter in the north. In both incidents, a child was also reportedly killed.
Separately, the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians said a patient was killed by an Israeli drone at a health centre it supports in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military told the BBC that it was not aware of such an incident.
The Gaza war began following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage.
