Hanan Ashrawi
Hanan AshrawiMiriam Alster/Flash 90

The president of the Reform Movement in North America, Rick Jacobs, criticized the US decision not to grant a visa to Palestinian Authority Hanan Ashrawi.

"Why refuse a visa to @DrHananAshrawi? Is it part of the Admin’s plan to shut out all Palestinian voices? To bring peace and stability we must talk to Palestinian leaders. We don’t need to agree with her (I often don't) to recognize the value of hearing from her," Jacobs asked on his Twitter account.

"To bring peace and stability, we must talk to the Palestinian leadership. We don’t need to agree with her (I often don't) to recognize the value of hearing from her."

The State Department said in response that they do not disclose details related to the processing of entry visas to the US. "American law does not allow refusal of an application for entry on the basis of political statements or legal opinions. Visas can only be rejected for reasons specified in US law."

Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee and former minister, has been involved in politics for decades and has won multiple awards for her work, including the French Legion of Honour.

Ashrawi is considered one of the harshest critics of the Trump administration in the Palestinian Authority, a criticism that intensified after the American recognition of Jerusalem and the transfer of the embassy to Jerusalem.