U.S. officials have reportedly implemented new restrictions on visitor visas for Palestinians, particularly affecting those who hold Palestinian passports. According to media reports, nearly all applicants with these passports are being denied visitor visas. This development follows the denial of visas to 80 Palestinian officials ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In August, the U.S. had already paused visitor visa approvals for individuals from the Gaza Strip, but the latest restrictions extend to a broader category, including residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A diplomatic cable dated August 18 indicated that U.S. consular officers were directed to refuse non-immigrant visas to “all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders.” This policy would impact Palestinians seeking to visit the U.S. for various reasons, such as business, education, or medical treatment.
The U.S. Department of State has not explicitly confirmed the ban but stated that it is “taking concrete steps in compliance with U.S. law and our national security.” The exact motivation behind this decision remains unclear, although it coincides with the Trump administration’s strong support for Israel amid ongoing tensions in the region. Additionally, other U.S. allies, including the UK, Canada, and France, have recently discussed recognizing a Palestinian state under specific conditions, while U.S. Vice-President JD Vance has indicated that the U.S. has “no plans” to pursue similar recognition.
The visa restrictions also come after numerous Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, were denied entry to the UN General Assembly, which is scheduled for later this month. The Department of State had announced earlier that visa approvals for Gazans would be paused for further review. It is noteworthy that the new policy effectively broadens the existing restrictions to encompass Palestinians from the West Bank and other areas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv099421pro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss