US denies visas for Palestinian officials before UN assembly
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US Blocks Palestinian Officials from UN General Assembly
Above: Marco Rubio at the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 26, 2025. Image copyright: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This decisive action holds Palestinian leadership accountable for their continued support of terrorism and refusal to engage in good-faith peace negotiations. The PA and PLO have consistently failed to repudiate the Oct. 7, 2003, massacre, continue paying salaries to terrorists and undermine peace prospects through international lawfare campaigns at the ICC and ICJ. Allowing these officials to use the UN platform would reward their destructive behavior and embolden Hamas while undermining ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Establishment-critical narrative
This unprecedented move violates international law and the fundamental principles of diplomatic engagement at the United Nations. The 1947 U.N. Headquarters Agreement requires the U.S. to provide access to foreign diplomats, and blocking an entire delegation sets a dangerous precedent that undermines multilateral diplomacy. Palestinian officials have condemned terrorism and called for hostage releases, yet face punishment, while Israeli leaders wanted by the ICC receive red carpet treatment.