US Visa Denial: Controversy Erupts Over Palestinian Officials, UN’s Future
The United States is denying visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and approximately 80 other PA officials for the upcoming UN General Assembly. This controversial move, which the State Department attributed to the PA and PLO’s actions, has drawn criticism from several European countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and experts, who argue it hinders ceasefire diplomacy in Gaza. The State Department’s decision, however, was praised by Israeli officials and appears to be a further step to punish those involved in international tribunals’ probes of alleged crimes committed by Israel. The denial of visas is viewed by many as a violation of the UN Headquarters Agreement, which recognizes Palestine as a non-member observer state.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood