WASHINGTON, August 30, 2025 — In a move drawing outrage and accusations of double standards, the United States has announced it will deny and revoke visas for members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The State Department claimed the decision was tied to Palestinian efforts at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), where they have sought accountability for Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank — crimes that UN experts have described as genocide.
US denies visas for Palestinian officials before UN General Assembly in September https://t.co/TpQAnw02D8 pic.twitter.com/RAnNZieEkP
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 29, 2025
Washington Lectures Palestinians, Protects Israel
In its statement, the US accused Palestinian leaders of “undermining peace” by seeking international justice instead of negotiations, while demanding they “repudiate terrorism.”
However the US always welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces his own ICC arrest warrant for war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu is always received with applause from Western leaders.
For Palestinians and their allies, the message is clear: justice is punished, but genocide is rewarded.
Palestinians React with Shock
The Palestinian presidency expressed “deep regret and astonishment”, calling on the US to reverse its decision and uphold international law.
Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour said President Mahmoud Abbas still plans to attend, including a September 22 session on Palestinian rights.
“We will see how this applies to our delegation and will respond accordingly,” Mansour told reporters.
US Breaking Its Own Commitments
Analysts warn that the move could trigger diplomatic fallout. Under the UN Headquarters Agreement of 1947, the US is legally required to grant visas to all delegations attending official UN events, regardless of political disputes.
This is not the first time Washington has tried to silence Palestinian voices. In 1988, the US denied a visa to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, forcing the UN to relocate its session to Geneva, Switzerland.
Double Standards on Full Display
Critics point out the glaring hypocrisy:
- In 2013, the US denied Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir a visa because of his ICC arrest warrant.
- In 2025, the US allows Netanyahu, accused of genocide in Gaza, to attend and speak at the US Congress.
- Meanwhile, Palestinian officials — who are seeking justice through international law — are barred from entry.
Key Facts
- US Move: Visa ban on Palestinian Authority & PLO members
- Reason Cited: Appeals to ICC & ICJ against Israel
- Palestinian Response: Condemnation, calls for reversal
- Controversy: US violates UN host-nation obligations
- Hypocrisy: Netanyahu (wanted by ICC) allowed entry, Palestinians blocked
The decision is seen by Palestinians as proof of US hypocrisy: while Washington claims to defend democracy and international law, it silences the victims of war while embracing its perpetrators. With famine declared in Gaza and global recognition of Palestinian statehood gaining momentum, the US stance risks further isolating it on the world stage.
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