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Hamas has condemned the United States’ refusal to issue visas to a Palestinian delegation seeking to attend meetings of the UN General Assembly, calling the decision a violation of international agreements.
“The decision constitutes a flagrant violation of the international conventions and agreements governing the work of the UN headquarters and a continuation of the policy of complete US bias toward the Zionist occupation,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a statement on Monday, according to the source report.
The restrictions have continued for a second year. In 2025, Washington denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials, forcing Abbas to participate in the meetings by video link.
Palestine allowed to address General Assembly by video
On Thursday, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution allowing the State of Palestine to participate in the general debate of its 81st session through a prerecorded address by its president, to be shown in the Assembly Hall.
The resolution received the support of 152 countries, while three voted against it and four abstained.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also rejected Washington’s decision to extend visa restrictions on Palestinian officials over alleged failures to meet commitments to the United States. It called for the restrictions to be halted and for direct dialogue between the Palestinian and US sides to begin.
UN access rules and Palestine’s status
Under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the United States, as the host country, is required to facilitate access to the UN headquarters in New York for representatives of states and entities taking part in UN activities.
Palestine has held non-member observer state status at the UN since 2012. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, 160 of the UN’s 193 member states recognize the State of Palestine, which is also a member of more than 100 international organizations and treaties.
Israel and the United States oppose such recognition. Washington has also used its veto power at the UN Security Council to block Palestine from gaining full UN membership, leaving it with its current status.
Conflict and international support
Since October 8, 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 174,000 injured in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to the report, with women and children making up most of the casualties.
Successive US administrations have provided Israel with military, financial and diplomatic support, including shielding it from accountability at the UN Security Council through the use of the veto.
Israel was established in 1948 on land seized by armed Zionist groups that carried out massacres and displaced at least 750,000 Palestinians. Israel later occupied the remaining Palestinian territories and continues to reject withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state as stipulated in UN resolutions.
