UN Secretary-General expresses deep regret over US visa refusal for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed "deep regret" on Friday, following Washington's decision to deny entry visas to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian representatives for the second consecutive year ahead of the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.

Why did the US deny entry visas to President Mahmoud Abbas and PA officials?

The US State Department announced that it extended visa sanctions against members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority under standing legislation, including the PLO Commitments Compliance Act. US officials cited the PA's failure to complete mandated governance reforms and criticized its ongoing efforts to "internationalize" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through legal actions at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Washington also highlighted historical PA stipend programs to families of slain or detained Palestinians, despite recent structural reforms transitioning welfare distributions to a needs-based framework. Under the US order, only diplomats accredited to the permanent Palestinian Observer Mission to the UN will be permitted to attend assembly proceedings in person.

How have the UN and the international community responded?

In an official statement released by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Secretary-General Guterres warned that the US decision undermines the full participation of member states guaranteed under the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement. To ensure representation, the UN General Assembly voted 152–3 on Thursday to authorize President Abbas to deliver his address via a prerecorded video statement.

According to reThe Guardian, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the visa denial as an "unjustified measure" that hinders diplomatic trust and peace efforts. The move highlights growing friction between Washington and the 142 UN member states that formally recognize Palestinian statehood amid escalating regional conflict.