US Revokes Visas of Palestinian President and 80 Other Officials

Strategic Insights -

The US has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials ahead of next month's annual high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly. The move, announced by US Secretary of Marco Rubio, is a step the Palestinian Authority decried as against international law. Palestinian representatives assigned to the UN mission, however, were granted exceptions. The US State Department said the decision was taken in light of non-compliance with US law and international commitments, specifically concerning terrorism and incitement to terrorism.

Key Takeaways:

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials, citing non-compliance with US law and international commitments.
  • The Palestinian Authority denounced the move as a violation of US commitments as the host country of the United Nations.
  • Palestinian representatives assigned to the UN mission were granted exceptions and will be allowed to continue their New York-based operations.
  • The US State Department stated that the decision was taken to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for not repudiating terrorism and incitement to terrorism in education.
  • The move is the latest in a series of steps the Trump administration has taken to target Palestinians with visa restrictions.

Statistics:

  • 80 Palestinian officials had their visas revoked by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was among those affected by the visa restrictions.
  • The US State Department granted exceptions to Palestinian representatives assigned to the UN mission, allowing them to continue their operations in New York.
  • The visa revocations are part of a series of measures taken by the Trump administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • A State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss visa issues that are normally confidential.