Ban on Mahmoud Abbas's Speech at the UN General Assembly Due to US Decision

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, has been barred from attending the UN General Assembly in New York next week due to a decision by the United States. This action is a repeat of last year's decision, which faced widespread criticism.

Statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry

On Thursday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling this ban an "unjustified action" that contradicts efforts to rebuild trust and improve Palestinian-American relations. The ministry emphasized that such actions undermine the necessary political environment for implementing a two-state solution and achieving peace and stability in the region.

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US Reasons for the Ban

The US State Department also announced that visa restrictions for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) will continue as a "consequence" of their failure to implement expected reforms and ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace. Abbas is one of the officials banned from entering the US for this gathering.

Last year's decision by the Trump administration, which barred Abbas and other Palestinian officials from the General Assembly, drew criticism from the international community and calls to move the meeting to Geneva. At that time, the General Assembly allowed Abbas to participate virtually with 145 votes in favor and 5 against.

Palestinian Stance Against the US

In response to the new ban, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry rejected US claims that Palestinians' efforts to pursue their rights through international bodies undermine peace, asserting that it is a legitimate right of Palestine. The ministry stated that referring to international institutions and international law is a legal right for the Palestinian government and cannot be equated with policies of occupation and military violence.

This move once again places Washington and Tel Aviv at odds with a significant portion of the international community regarding Palestinian diplomatic representation and recognition of its state. Currently, Palestine is recognized by 157 UN member states, comprising over 80 percent of the organization's members.

The US decision comes amid a significant increase in military violence and Israeli evacuations in the occupied West Bank. According to recent reports, this violence has reached unprecedented levels, with over 1,430 incidents recorded by August 10, 2026.

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