Trump admin again denies Abbas, Palestinian officials visas to attend UN General Assembly

The Trump administration has again denied visas to the Palestinian Authority (PA) delegation for the United Nations General Assembly, citing the PA's failure to uphold commitments and its pursuit of international legal actions against Israel. The U.S. State Department stated on Wednesday that the PA and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) "have, once again, failed to live up to their commitments" by engaging in "international lawfare" and seeking unilateral recognition instead of negotiated settlements. The State Department also criticized the PA for "continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and glorify acts of terrorism and terrorists in public pronouncements and school textbooks." While visas were denied for the delegation, waivers were granted for those at the Palestinian observer mission to the UN. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is still scheduled to speak on September 24, potentially via video or pre-recorded statement, as the General Assembly is expected to vote on a resolution allowing this participation and criticizing the U.S. visa refusal.