The United States has declined to grant visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, blocking his attendance at the UN General Assembly for the second year in a row, according to Al Jazeera.
Key facts
- The US has declined to grant visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Al Jazeera.
- The decision bars Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly.
- Al Jazeera reported it marks the second consecutive year Abbas has been barred from attending.
- The report was published by Al Jazeera on 17 September 2026.
The United States has declined to grant visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Al Jazeera. The move prevents the Palestinian leader from attending the United Nations General Assembly.
The report, published by Al Jazeera on 17 September 2026, states that this marks the second consecutive year that Abbas has been barred from attending the annual gathering of world leaders.
The UN General Assembly brings together heads of state and government for high-level meetings and speeches at the organisation’s headquarters in New York.
The available source does not provide the reasoning behind the US decision, and the United States’ position on the matter was not detailed. The response of the Palestinian Authority was also not included in the source.
Why it matters
Barring a national leader from the UN General Assembly raises questions about access to international diplomacy and the role of the United States as the forum's host country.
Frequently asked questions
Who has been denied visas by the United States?
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been declined visas by the United States, according to Al Jazeera.
What event is Abbas being prevented from attending?
The visa refusal bars Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly.
Is this the first time this has happened?
No. According to Al Jazeera, this is the second consecutive year that Abbas has been barred from attending.