The Trump administration is expected to bar Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas from entering the United States to attend next month’s United Nations General Assembly, Israeli media reported Thursday, citing American officials.
It would be the second year in a row that Washington prevents Abbas from traveling to New York for the annual gathering.
Last year, the United States denied visas to Abbas and approximately 80 other PA officials. Washington at the time accused the Palestinian Authority of taking actions that weakened prospects for peace, including pursuing international recognition of a Palestinian state.
The visa restrictions were also seen as an effort to undermine a France- and Saudi Arabia-backed conference focused on advancing the two-state solution. The Trump administration criticized the initiative as rewarding Hamas and said it complicated efforts to bring the Gaza war to an end.
Although no similar conference is scheduled during this year's UN high-level week, US officials indicated that Washington intends to maintain last year's policy.
Abbas has reportedly sought to have the decision reversed. During a visit to Ankara last week, he asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to raise the issue with President Donald Trump. Erdogan, who has described Trump as a “good friend," spoke with the US president by phone on Tuesday. However, a subsequent US official confirmation that the restriction remains in effect suggests the appeal was unsuccessful.
A PA official cited by Hebrew-language media claimed Erdogan had responded positively to Abbas's request.
Meanwhile, a UN official voiced hope that Washington would meet its responsibilities as the host country and permit heads of delegations seeking to address the General Assembly to enter the United States.
Abbas is currently scheduled to speak at the UN on the morning of September 24.
Last year, following the US visa denial, the General Assembly adopted a special resolution allowing Abbas to deliver his address remotely by video. If Washington again blocks his entry, a similar procedural measure would likely be needed.