US Blocks Visas for PA Leaders Ahead of UN General Assembly
Washington (Quds News Network)- The US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied and revoked visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The decision comes just days before the United Nations General Assembly.
The Trump administration claimed that the move aligns with US law. Officials argued that the PLO and PA failed to meet commitments and continue to “undermine the prospects for peace.”
Rubio stressed that the PLO and PA must repudiate what they called “terrorism”, including the October 7 resistance operation, and stop what Washington calls “incitement in education.” He also demanded that the PA halt its legal efforts at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ). The US accused those efforts of fueling Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli soldier prisoners and blocking ceasefire talks in Gaza.
While the PA mission to the UN will still receive waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the US left the door open to future engagement. Rubio said Washington could reconsider if the PA and PLO “take concrete steps” toward compromise and “peaceful coexistence” with Israel.
The Palestinian Authority was created through US-Israeli-backed agreements. Today, it faces some of its lowest popularity among Palestinians, as it continues to act as a subcontractor for Israel, especially through its “security coordination.” Under this system, the PA shares intelligence and hands over wanted Palestinians to Israeli forces.
The United States, especially under Trump’s administration, has been shielding Israel at the United Nations, repeatedly using its veto to block resolutions addressing Israeli crimes. Under Trump, critics say Washington’s loyalty to Israel has become absolute.
Analysts point to US laws designed to silence criticism of Israel and policies that put Israeli interests ahead of American ones. Palestinian officials and human rights groups view the new visa ban as another step in that direction.
