The United States has suspended nearly all visa approvals for Palestinian passport holders, significantly restricting travel for medical treatment, education, and business purposes.
According to officials, the new policy extends beyond earlier restrictions that targeted residents of Gaza. The suspension means Palestinians seeking to study in the US, receive healthcare, or travel for professional reasons will face denials.
The US State Department recently confirmed it had begun revoking and denying visas to members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This decision comes ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. While the US is obligated to allow representatives to attend the assembly, officials emphasized that only the Palestinian mission will be permitted entry.
The move underscores Washington’s closer alignment with Israel’s current government, which firmly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. Critics argue that the measure further isolates Palestinians on the international stage while adding new barriers for ordinary citizens.
