U.S. expands PLO, PA visa bans; Mahmoud Abbas again denied entry

Sept. 16 (UPI) — The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday evening it was extending sanctions denying visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority, amid reports that the United States had denied PA President Mahmoud Abbas a visa for a second consecutive year.

“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the State Department said in a statement.

“It is our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism.”

The PA is the governing body that exercises limited authority in parts of the West Bank, while the PLO is a Palestinian political ummbrella organization.

Specifics for the extension of visa sanctions were not provided, but the State Department alleged that the PLO and PA failed to live up to their commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002.

The State Department also said it maintains a standing waiver for personnel assigned to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations.

The United States first announced the visa sanctions on the PLO and PA in July of last year, and the following month denied Abbas a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. He instead spoke via video.

The State Department issued its statement Wednesday amid reporting that it had again denied Abbas a visa to attend this year’s U.N. General Debate running from Tuesday through Sept. 28.

Abbas’ office was notified of the U.S. decision on Wednesday, The Times of Israel reported, citing U.S. and Palestinian officials. According to the report, similar rejections were issued to dozens of PA officials seeking to attend the U.N. General Assembly.

Neither the PLO or PA have yet to publicly comment on the development.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, welcomed the the decision to deny Abbas a visa, The Jerusalem Post reported.

“Anyone who wants to be part of the international community must first behave accordingly,” he said, accusing Abbas of being involved in terrorism without providing proof.

“You cannot reward terrorism with one hand and demand international legitimacy with the other.”