The U.S. State Department denied visas for Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials ahead of the UN General Assembly.

In a controversial decision, the U.S. State Department denied visas to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and to another 80 Palestinian officials, in view of the UN General Assembly in September. American officials justified that it is in the interest of national security to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for failing to meet commitments. The Palestinian Authority reacted with astonishment, considering that the decision violates international agreements, and the UN spokesperson expressed hope to resolve the situation with the American administration.