US officials have further restricted visitor visas for Palestinians, by denying them to almost all applicants who use a Palestinian passport, media reports say. This development comes days after 80 Palestinian officials were denied visas ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Earlier in August, visitor visas were paused for individuals hoping to travel from the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The newly-reported decree would affect a wider group - including people living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Department of State did not explicitly confirm the move but said it was taking concrete steps in compliance with US law and our national security.
The decision was issued in a diplomatic cable dated 18 August, the New York Times and CNN reported. US consular officers were instructed to refuse non-immigrant visas to all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders, making the process more restrictive. This ban extends to Palestinians seeking to travel to the US for business, education, or medical needs.
The reasoning behind the decision remains vague. It comes as the Trump administration maintains strong support for Israel amidst criticisms surrounding the Palestinian Authority and broader geopolitical tensions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, among other officials, faced blocked attendance to the UN General Assembly in New York following visa revocations.
In a further tightening of visa policies, the US's recent stance aligns with an earlier pause on visitor visas for Gaza residents. This reflects the ongoing complexities in US-Palestinian relations, especially following heightened military actions in Gaza by Israel that have resulted in significant casualties among the Palestinian population.
Ultimately, this visa policy extension now affects a broader Palestinian demographic that includes those in the West Bank, further complicating diplomatic relations and travel for Palestinians amidst a charged political climate.
Earlier in August, visitor visas were paused for individuals hoping to travel from the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The newly-reported decree would affect a wider group - including people living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Department of State did not explicitly confirm the move but said it was taking concrete steps in compliance with US law and our national security.
The decision was issued in a diplomatic cable dated 18 August, the New York Times and CNN reported. US consular officers were instructed to refuse non-immigrant visas to all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders, making the process more restrictive. This ban extends to Palestinians seeking to travel to the US for business, education, or medical needs.
The reasoning behind the decision remains vague. It comes as the Trump administration maintains strong support for Israel amidst criticisms surrounding the Palestinian Authority and broader geopolitical tensions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, among other officials, faced blocked attendance to the UN General Assembly in New York following visa revocations.
In a further tightening of visa policies, the US's recent stance aligns with an earlier pause on visitor visas for Gaza residents. This reflects the ongoing complexities in US-Palestinian relations, especially following heightened military actions in Gaza by Israel that have resulted in significant casualties among the Palestinian population.
Ultimately, this visa policy extension now affects a broader Palestinian demographic that includes those in the West Bank, further complicating diplomatic relations and travel for Palestinians amidst a charged political climate.
