US extends visa ban on Palestinian officials, including President Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been denied entry to Israel for a second consecutive year, the Israeli interior ministry confirmed on Thursday. The decision, which follows a similar restriction imposed in 2023, prevents Abbas from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem for official engagements, including scheduled meetings with Israeli officials and international delegations.

Israeli authorities cited security considerations and the need to maintain public order as the basis for the continued ban, noting that the measure applies to a list of individuals deemed to pose a risk to stability. The Palestinian Authority condemned the action as a breach of the Oslo Accords and warned that the restriction could further hinder dialogue between the two sides. International observers called for both parties to resume direct negotiations, emphasizing that the exclusion of the Palestinian leader from the region complicates efforts to address ongoing political and humanitarian challenges.