WASHINGTON — The U.S. has revoked visas for Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, according to a U.S. Department of State statement. The decision, announced on Friday, August 29, 2025, also applies to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and follows a series of steps taken by the U.S. administration.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, the move is in compliance with U.S. law and is in the national security interest of the United States. The department stated its intent “to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace.” The statement also accused the PA of “attempts to bypass negotiations through international lawfare campaigns,” citing appeals to the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.
The Associated Press reported that a State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Abbas and 80 other officials were affected. The Palestinian Authority denounced the visa withdrawals as a violation of U.S. commitments as the host country of the U.N. and urged the State Department to reverse its decision. According to Al Jazeera, the PA presidency “expressed its deep regret and astonishment” at the decision.
The U.S. State Department clarified that representatives assigned to the Palestinian Authority mission at the United Nations would be granted waivers to allow them to continue their New York-based operations, as reported by Global News. The move further aligns the U.S. administration with Israel’s government, which rejects a Palestinian state, according to The Guardian.
