News - Middle East: The United States has announced it will deny and revoke visas for members of the Palestinian delegation ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will not be allowed to attend the UN General Assembly scheduled for next month at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.

Rubio justified the unprecedented move by citing US laws that bar recognition of Palestinian statehood and impose sanctions on Palestinians for payments to prisoners and resistance fighters.

According to internal documents reviewed by Fox News, the decision affects senior officials from both the PA and the PLO, including President Mahmoud Abbas.

Permanent staff of the Palestinian UN Observer Mission, however, will be exempt under US treaty obligations.

The decision reflects "national security interests," US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, adding that the PA and PLO leaders must repudiate "terrorism" and unilateral statehood efforts before they can be considered partners for peace.

The decision marks the first time the US State Department has blocked an entire delegation from participating in the UN General Assembly.

Washington said the measure aims to prevent Palestinian leaders from using the UN platform to advance a constitutional declaration of independence.

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