Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked and denied visas for members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). This includes President Mahmoud Abbas, who was scheduled to speak at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly on September 9.
The justification behind this is that the State Department said the PA’s failed to repudiate terrorism, specifically referencing the October 7, 2023 massacre. That attack involved armed incursions from the Gaza Strip going towards Israel where Hamas and Palestinian groups targeted people during a Jewish holiday.
For further justification, the officials criticized the PA’s appeals to the ICC and ICJ, calling them “international lawfare campaigns” that undermine peace negotiations. These actions are said to contribute to Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and the collapse of cease-fire talks.
When it comes to a Palestinian response, there was Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, who condemned the decision. He believes this move by America could lead to increased tensions.
The PA will engage with Arab and foreign governments in hopes to reverse the ban.
