The U.S. State Department is denying and revoking visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting where numerous countries plan to recognize a Palestinian state. Marco Rubio's office accused the groups of backing terrorism, conducting lawfare in international courts, and attempting to secure unilateral recognition of a "conjectural Palestinian state." The statement linked those actions to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and the breakdown of Gaza ceasefire talks, while noting that the PA mission will receive waivers under the UN Headquarters Agreement. It remains unclear which delegates will be affected, including President Mahmoud Abbas.
In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office said that it is denying visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), claiming they are backers of "terrorism." Rubio's office also accused the political groups of waging "lawfare campaigns" in international courts and attempting to "secure the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state."
"Both steps materially contributed to Hamas's refusal to release its hostages, and to the breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire talks," the office said, not acknowledging the fact that Israel is currently sabotaging the latest ceasefire deal agreed to by Hamas. It said that the PA mission "will receive waivers per the UN Headquarters Agreement."
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