The U.S. has barred Palestinian officials from the U.N. General Assembly, citing terrorism concerns and failed peace efforts.
The Trump administration has barred members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from attending next month’s U.N. General Assembly in New York, including PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
In a statement Friday, the State Department said the decision was in the U.S. national security interest, citing the PLO and PA’s failure to advance peace in the Middle East.
“Before the PLO and the PA can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently repudiate terrorism, including the October 7 massacre, and incitement to terrorism in education,” the department said.
Officials also demanded an end to “international lawfare campaigns” at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which they said have undermined ceasefire talks and delayed the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott added: “Before we take them seriously as partners in peace, the PA and PLO must completely reject terrorism.”