World News
US reportedly denies Abbas visa for UN General Assembly for second year
The State Department announced extended visa restrictions on Palestinian officials, citing alleged failures to reform; regular Palestinian UN mission staff retain a waiver.
The short version
- An unnamed source told AFP that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was denied a visa for next week's UN General Assembly in New York.[France 24]
- The State Department said it was extending restrictions on Palestinian Authority officials and Palestine Liberation Organization members over alleged failures to reform and activities undermining peace.[Al Jazeera]
- Regular Palestinian UN mission staff will retain a waiver, according to the State Department. France 24 reported that last year's ban forced Abbas to speak by video.[Al Jazeera · France 24]
Key facts
- An unnamed source familiar with the matter told AFP that Abbas was covered by the US visa denial measure.[France 24]
- The State Department announced extended visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and Palestine Liberation Organization members.[Al Jazeera]
- The State Department said the Palestinian UN mission would retain a waiver allowing regular staff to continue working.[Al Jazeera]
- France 24 reported that the Trump administration imposed the same restriction last year, forcing Abbas to address the General Assembly by video.[France 24]
What remains uncertain
- France 24's confirmation that Abbas personally falls under the restrictions rests on an unnamed source; the State Department separately announced restrictions on Palestinian officials.[France 24]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.