US expands visa restrictions on Palestinians, aligning further with Israel

After reportedly denying visas to Palestinian officials ahead of the UN assembly, the United States has suspended visa approvals for nearly all holders of Palestinian passports, extending restrictions that had earlier targeted visitors from Gaza.

The new measures, reported by the New York Times on Sunday, are expected to affect those seeking to travel for medical treatment, education, or business purposes, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s policy.

The state department had already announced two weeks ago that it was halting visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while carrying out what it described as a comprehensive review, a decision that drew criticism from pro-Palestinian groups.

The restrictions broadened further on Friday when the United States began denying and revoking visas of members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority, a move that came just days before the UN assembly meeting in September.

Although the United States is bound by an agreement as the host nation of the UN in New York not to refuse entry to officials attending the General Assembly, it said the Palestinian mission would still be permitted to participate in the annual gathering.

However, officials and observers noted that the broader suspension of visas to Palestinians represented an unprecedented step, one that highlighted the administration’s alignment with the Israeli government, which firmly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Trump administration defended its decision by asserting national security concerns and pointing to what it characterised as failures of the PLO and PA to meet their commitments, while critics warned that the move further eroded prospects for dialogue and peace.