U.S. Extends Palestinian Visa Ban Ahead Of UN General Assembly The United States has extended visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority officials and PLO members, barring President Mahmoud Abbas from traveling to New York for the second year in a row. The restrictions mark the second consecutive year that Abbas has been prevented from attending the annual high-level session in person. The U.S. Department of State attributed the decision to what it described as the Palestinian Authority’s failure to carry out reforms and its continued activities that, according to Washington, undermine prospects for peace.