The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Friday appealed to the United States to reconsider its decision to block visas for some of its officials before the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

PA Calls US Move a Violation of International Law

In a statement released through the official WAFA news agency, the Palestinian presidency said the US should “reconsider and reverse its decision,” warning that the restrictions “stand in clear contradiction to international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement.”

Washington, however, defended the move, saying it was a response to the PA “undermining the prospects for peace.”

US Withholds and Revokes Visas

The US State Department announced that the Trump administration would deny new visas and revoke existing ones for certain members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the PA. Officials did not name those affected, leaving uncertainty about whether President Mahmoud Abbas, who plans to attend the General Assembly, is included.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said they were still assessing the impact. “We are checking exactly what the US move means and how it applies to any of our delegation, and we will respond accordingly,” he told reporters, according to Reuters.

Restrictions Linked to Earlier Sanctions

This step follows sanctions the US imposed in July on PA and PLO officials. Those measures coincided with growing support among Western powers for recognising a Palestinian state.

The State Department explained that “it is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace.”

PA leaders reject the US claim, insisting they have not blocked peace efforts.

Israel Welcomes US Decision

Israel quickly praised Washington’s decision. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X: “We thank (President Donald Trump) and the administration for this bold step and for standing by Israel once again.”

He also thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for “holding the PLO and PA accountable for rewarding terrorism, incitement and efforts to use legal warfare against Israel.”

UN Rules and US Discretion

Under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the US must normally allow foreign diplomats entry to New York for UN activities. Yet, it can still deny visas on grounds of security, terrorism, or foreign policy.

The State Department clarified that the PA’s mission to the UN would remain open despite the restrictions, though it gave no further details.

Wider Diplomatic Context

Palestinians continue to seek recognition of an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem through international mediation. However, critics highlight Israel’s growing settlement expansion in the West Bank and devastation in Gaza as obstacles. Israel denies these claims.

Meanwhile, US allies such as Canada, Britain, Australia, and France have either recognised or signaled plans to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly, increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.