The US rejected the visa applications of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and some Palestinian officials, who were expected to speak at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. The US State Department cited "non-compliance with commitments" as the reason; Abbas is expected to address the assembly by video.
In addition to Abbas, visas of Palestinian officials traveling to the US for the UN General Assembly were also denied. The State Department said sanctions were extended, citing the Palestinian Authority's failure to reform and its undermining of peace hopes. Abbas is expected to deliver his address via video conference as he did last year.
