The United States announced on July 31, 2025, that it will deny visas to officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The move is part of a broader U.S. policy to penalize Palestinian entities for actions that the Trump administration says undermine peace efforts with Israel. The State Department accused the PA and the PLO of attempting to “internationalize” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through legal avenues such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as continuing to support terrorism including payments to Palestinian terrorists and incitement in education and media.
The Biden administration’s announcement followed growing international moves by countries like France, Canada, and the UK to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, which the U.S. strongly opposes. These visa denials serve as a direct punitive response to both the Palestinian leadership’s international legal actions and the diplomatic initiatives of Western allies toward Palestinian recognition.
The Trump administration framed the visa sanctions as a necessary measure of national security, stating it is crucial to hold the PA and PLO accountable for failing to comply with U.S. laws and commitments, particularly those related to anti-terrorism and peace obligations. The U.S. also criticized the Palestinian leadership for continuing policies described as incentivizing terrorism through welfare payments to prisoners convicted of terror-related activities.
The action was praised by Israeli officials. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commended the U.S. for demonstrating “moral clarity” in holding the PA accountable, also criticizing other countries that rushed to recognize a “virtual Palestinian state” while ignoring Palestinian support for terror and incitement.
Although Palestinian officials often require special waivers to enter the U.S. for official business, this new policy represents a firmer stance and could complicate Palestinian participation in diplomatic events like the UN General Assembly. However, the U.S. still allows attendance linked to international obligations such as the United Nations.
This visa denial policy is seen as a relatively moderate step compared to other possible sanctions, such as designating the PA as a foreign terrorist organization, which would impose much more severe consequences. The U.S. decision reflects the Trump administration’s hardline approach, maintaining opposition to unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood and emphasizing negotiation between Israel and Palestinians as the only path to peace.
