The United States has almost suspended all approvals for visas for Palestinian passports holders, the New York Times reported on Sunday. This decision represents a significant expansion of the restrictions that the administration of President Donald Trump had previously imposed on those coming from Gaza only.
Restrictions affecting treatment, education and travel
The new step prevents Palestinians from traveling to the United States to receive medical treatment, follow up university study, or do commercial work, according to what the newspaper quoted informed officials whose identity has not been revealed.
American foreign justifications
Two weeks ago, the US State Department announced that it would stop issuing visas for people from Gaza until a “full and comprehensive review”, a decision that was met with criticism from pro -Palestinians groups, considered the move as a collective punishment.
Cancellation of leaders from the PLO and Authority
On Friday, the US State Department confirmed that it had begun to reject and withdraw visas for a number of members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority before the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month.
Washington’s obligations as a host country
Under the United Nations hosting agreement, the United States is not supposed to refuse to grant visas to officials heading to attend the General Assembly. However, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is committed to the agreement by allowing the Palestinian mission to attend the sessions.
Trump administration position
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the Trump administration was clear: Our national interest is to hold the PLO and the Palestinian Authority accountable for their lack of commitment to their pledges, and to undermine peace opportunities,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Authenticity with Israel
This decision comes to confirm the Trump administration’s convergence with the right -wing Israeli government, which categorically rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state, which increases tension between Washington and the Palestinian leadership before the United Nations meetings.
