August 30, 2025 | 12:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has stated that it will deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority to attend the United Nations General Assembly next month. In this session, France leads the push to recognize the state of Palestine.
The extraordinary move taken on Friday, August 29, 2025, further aligns the administration of President Donald Trump with the Israeli government, which is currently fighting against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Israel strongly rejects the state of Palestine and seeks to unite the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, with its rival, Hamas.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly," as stated by the Department of State, as reported by CNA.
"The Trump Administration has been clear: 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," said Rubio.
The U.S. Department of State also accuses Palestine of engaging in "lawfare" by turning to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to lodge complaints against Israel. Rubio urges the Palestinian Authority to cease its efforts to gain recognition for the state of Palestine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, writing in X, thanked the Trump administration for this bold step. Saar mentioned that Trump once again reaffirmed his support for Israel.
President Mahmoud Abbas Wants to Attend the UN General Assembly
President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, plans to attend the UN meeting, according to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations. Abbas' office stated that they were surprised by the visa decision and argued that it violated the agreement at the UN headquarters.
Based on the agreement as hosts of the United Nations in New York, the U.S. should not deny visas to officials traveling to the world body.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated the importance for all countries and observers, including Palestine, to be represented at the scheduled summit a day before the General Assembly begins. "We obviously hope that this will be resolved," said Dujarric.
The U.S. and Israel accuse France and other countries of siding with Hamas. However, French President Emmanuel Macron was outraged by Israeli attacks in Gaza. Macron argued that the peace process in Gaza can no longer be delayed.
Canada and Australia also plan to recognize the state of Palestine. Britain said it would do so unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.
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