U.S. Orders Rejection of Most Visas for Holders of Palestinian Passports

Visas: US Blocks Palestinian Visas

UN Assembly Under Tension

Palestinian Recognition at Stake

The US government has instructed its diplomats to reject most visa applications submitted by individuals holding Palestinian passports.

The measure, revealed by The New York Times and CNN, affects both residents of Gaza and the West Bank as well as Palestinians living abroad.

According to these outlets, it comes from an internal message in which Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the immediate denial of non-immigrant visas for “all holders of Palestinian Authority passports who meet the requirements” to apply.

US Restricts Palestinian Visas

Visas: U.S. Blocks Palestinian Visas – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

What Types of US Visas Are Affected?

Non-immigrant visas include permits for students, academics, tourists, businesspeople, and patients seeking medical treatment in the United States.

The measure does not apply to Palestinians with dual nationality who present another valid passport, nor to those who already hold an issued visa.

The greatest impact is on those who have only a Palestinian passport, a document issued since the 1990s after the agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that created a semi-autonomous government in the West Bank and Gaza.

Political Context

The Trump administration is using a mechanism traditionally applied in more limited cases, requesting additional documentation from specific applicants.

This time, however, it has been generalized to an entire group of citizens.

“The Trump administration is taking concrete measures, in compliance with US law and our national security, regarding the restrictions and revocations of visas announced for holders of Palestinian Authority passports,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN.

Last Friday, the US government had already signaled that it would revoke the visas of Palestinian diplomats planning to attend the UN General Assembly in September.

This global diplomatic forum was expected to serve as a central stage for debate on the recognition of the Palestinian state.

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Reactions and Tensions

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas still plans to attend the Assembly and deliver a speech, confirmed Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour.

On August 16, Washington had already suspended the issuance of visitor visas for people from Gaza, citing the need for a review.

The decision coincides with the intentions of countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to recognize the Palestinian state in the coming weeks.

“It was not clear what prompted the visa restriction, but it comes after statements from several US allies saying they plan to recognize a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.

Some US officials have strongly opposed this attempt at recognition, which Israel has condemned,” reported The New York Times.

The Background of the Measure

The visa restriction policy once again places Washington at the center of international tension over Palestine.

Although framed in terms of security, the decision raises doubts about whether it seeks to block growing global support for the Palestinian cause in multilateral forums.

With this measure, the Trump administration hardens its stance toward Palestine at a critical moment in international diplomacy.

The debate now goes beyond migration and places the United States in open confrontation with allies who are considering formally recognizing the Palestinian state.

Do you think this US measure is about national security, or is it a political strategy to block recognition of the Palestinian state?

SOURCE: EFE