Story perspectives

U.S. to Deny Abbas Visas for UN General Assembly

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 4:01 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Stipends to Prisoners Families

On September 17 2026 the U.S. State Department said it would deny visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for the UN General Assembly.
The denial cited Authority’s breach of peace commitments, payment of stipends to prisoners’ families, and U.S. law barring officials who “glorify terrorism” or “internationalize” conflict.
Assembly allowed a video, with U.S., Israel and Paraguay opposing, while the Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the sanctions.

Left

Visa Denial Consequences

The U.S. State Department announced on September 17 2026 it would deny visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Critics argued the visa denial curtails Palestinian representation as settler violence in the West Bank escalated.
European Union regretted the denial, urging United States to reconsider under UN headquarters obligations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned decision would hinder Palestine’s UN participation; GA allowed prerecorded video.

Blindspot

The European Union said it regretted the visa denial and urged the United States to reconsider, citing host-state obligations under the United Nations headquarters agreement.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

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Stipends to Prisoners Families

On September 17 2026 the U.S. State Department said it would deny visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for the UN General Assembly.
The denial cited Authority’s breach of peace commitments, payment of stipends to prisoners’ families, and U.S. law barring officials who “glorify terrorism” or “internationalize” conflict.
Assembly allowed a video, with U.S., Israel and Paraguay opposing, while the Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the sanctions.

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