US Blocks Palestinian Leader Visas Amid UN Assembly Tensions

The Trump administration has implemented sweeping visa restrictions targeting Palestinians, effectively barring most Palestinian Authority (PA) passport holders and those suspected of ties to the PA or Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from entering the United States. This decision has led to the revocation of visas for senior Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing their attendance at the upcoming UN General Assembly and a high-level conference on the two-state solution co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the U.S. move as "unacceptable" and called for the reversal of the visa denials to ensure Palestinian representation, emphasizing the importance of international support for peace and security in the region. Several countries, including Belgium, France, and Canada, plan to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UNGA, with over 150 nations expected to support this initiative. Critics argue the visa restrictions undermine U.S. credibility, violate its obligations as the UN host country, and risk derailing peace efforts amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Gaza. The State Department asserts the measures are temporary and part of a broader effort to enhance visa vetting and address illegal immigration, but the actions have sparked significant international backlash.