The US has suspended visas for Palestinian citizens

The United States administration is gradually suspending the issuance of visas for Palestinian citizens, especially those living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

The “New York Times” reported this based on official sources. According to the information, on August 16, the US Department of State announced the cancellation of all types of visitor visas for residents of Gaza.

Two days later, on August 18, a stricter decision was made. On that day, Washington sent special instructions to all US embassies ordering them to stop issuing non-immigrant visas to individuals from the West Bank and the Palestinian diaspora abroad.

This restriction also affects the possibility of obtaining visas for education, medical treatment, business trips, and family visits. On August 29, the US Department of State issued another statement.

It was announced that applications from Palestinian officials requesting visas to participate in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September were rejected. The statement said that, in accordance with US law, visas issued to representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority on behalf of Secretary of State by Senator Marco Rubio were canceled or denied.

This firm decision by Washington has caused sharp dissatisfaction on the Palestinian side. Official Ramallah regards it as political pressure and an attempt to limit Palestine’s voice on the international stage.