The administration of former President Donald Trump has revoked the visas of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and approximately 80 other officials ahead of a significant meeting at the United Nations General Assembly next month. This decision comes as several US allies, including Australia, plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state during the assembly convening in New York.
On September 20, 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed intentions to meet with Abbas at the annual high-level gathering. Abbas was also slated to participate in a summit where Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada would discuss the recognition of a Palestinian state and the viability of a two-state solution.
The US State Department announced on Saturday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the denial of visa applications for officials associated with the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA). A department spokesperson confirmed that Abbas and around 80 other Palestinian officials would be directly impacted by this decision.
The US government reiterated its longstanding concerns regarding the PA and PLO, alleging that these bodies have not sufficiently addressed extremism while pursuing “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state. The State Department stated, “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 Authority condemned the visa revocations, describing the action as a violation of US commitments as the host nation of the UN. The PA expressed “deep regret and astonishment” over the decision, asserting that it contravenes international law and the Headquarters Agreement, particularly noting that the State of Palestine is an observer member of the United Nations.
The ongoing conflict and the quest for a two-state solution remain pivotal issues on the international stage. As the situation evolves, the implications of this visa revocation could have significant repercussions for diplomatic relations and peace efforts in the region.
