US Secretary of State Rubio: U.S. has told other countries Palestinian recognition will create more problems

US Secretary of State Rubio: U.S. has told other countries Palestinian recognition will create more problems

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated the U.S. stance on Palestinian recognition, stating that such recognition will create more problems. This announcement comes amidst a series of visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on Palestinians, including a ban on most nonimmigrant visas for Palestinian passport holders [1].

The visa restrictions, which took effect on August 18, cover a wide range of visa types, including student, tourist, business, and medical visas [1]. The State Department has cited national security concerns and the need for thorough vetting and screening protocols as reasons for the ban [1]. The restrictions do not apply to Palestinians applying for immigrant visas or those using a different passport [1].

The visa ban has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and Palestinian officials. The Palestinian Authority has pointed to the recognition by several Western countries of a Palestinian state as a significant development, with France, Britain, and Canada planning to recognize a Palestinian state within the coming weeks [2]. The U.S. government, however, has maintained that such recognition would create more problems and undermine peace efforts [2].

The visa restrictions also come as part of a broader policy shift by the Trump administration aimed at isolating Palestinians and blocking their political presence abroad. The administration has revoked and denied visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA), including PA President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly [3].

The U.S. visa ban has been criticized for its impact on humanitarian efforts. Charities and advocacy groups have reported that visas for medical evacuees, including children maimed in Israeli strikes, have been denied [2]. The suspension of all Palestinian visas and the punitive targeting of wounded children, medical evacuees, and diplomatic representatives have been seen as part of the Trump administration's partnership with Israel to finalize the removal of Palestinians from Gaza [2].

In summary, the U.S. visa restrictions on Palestinians reflect a broader policy shift aimed at isolating Palestinians and blocking their political presence abroad. The restrictions have been criticized for their impact on humanitarian efforts and their potential to exacerbate the ongoing conflict in the region.

References:
[1] CNN. (2025, August 31). US State Department Refuses Most Visas for Palestinian Passport Holders. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/31/politics/state-department-refuse-most-visas-palestinian-passports
[2] WSWS. (2025, September 2). US State Department Expands Visa Ban on Palestinians. Retrieved from https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/09/02/uihw-s02.html
[3] State Department. (2025, August 20). Trump Administration Reaffirms Commitment to Not Reward Terrorism and Revokes Visas of Palestinian Officials Ahead of UNGA. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/08/trump-administration-reaffirms-commitment-to-not-reward-terrorism-and-revokes-visas-of-palestinian-officials-ahead-of-unga