Trump government prevents Palestinian president from participating in U.N. gathering in New York

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has welcomed the State Department's decision to revoke visas for Palestinian officials, a move that comes in response to accusations of undermining the prospects for peace in Gaza. The State Department has accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of such actions.

The revocation of visas has been a significant move, with approximately 80 officials from the Palestinian Authority having their U.S. visas revoked or denied ahead of a meeting. This decision has been met with criticism from several European foreign ministers, who voiced their concerns during a meeting in Copenhagen.

The situation in the Middle East is complex and multifaceted. The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but they have not governed in Gaza since 2007, when they were driven out by the Islamic militant group Hamas. The Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 people.

Mahmoud Abbas has taken steps to distance himself from such acts of violence. In June, he wrote a letter to France's president condemning the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and calling for the release of hostages taken by the militant group.

The issue of statehood for Palestine is a contentious one. The state of Palestine is currently recognized by 147 of the U.N.'s 193 member states. European states expected to officially recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September 2025 include France, Spain, Belgium, Malta, Finland, Luxembourg, and Portugal, with Denmark considering recognition under strict conditions. The UK and other Western countries are also moving toward recognition, while Germany does not plan to recognize at this time.

However, the Trump administration does not support the pursuit of unilateral recognition of statehood by the PA and PLO. The administration requires the PA and PLO to repudiate terrorism before they can be considered partners for peace. This condition has been a point of contention, with the Palestinian Authority being barred from attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting next month due to this requirement.

As the host country for the United Nations, the U.S. is required under a 1947 "headquarters agreement" to grant foreign diplomats access to the U.N. However, exceptions have been made by past administrations for both security and policy reasons. The U.N. General Assembly "cannot be subject to any restrictions on access," according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Israel has escalated its assault in Gaza, and the situation remains volatile. Despite the challenges, efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict continue. The Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, stated that President Mahmoud Abbas is coming to represent the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly. The upcoming meeting promises to be a significant event in the ongoing struggle for peace in the Middle East.

Trump government prevents Palestinian president from participating in U.N. gathering in New York