The Trump administration has slammed the brakes on Palestinian Authority travel, imposing sweeping visa restrictions that block PA passport holders from entering the United States for studies, medical care, family visits, or business, US media reported on Sunday.

The directive, sent to US embassies on Aug. 18, goes beyond the ban on all visitor visas from Hamas-run Gaza. Now, anyone traveling only on a PA document will be barred—unless they hold dual nationality or already have a visa in hand.

The State Department confirmed the move, citing US law and national security. Officials invoked Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, normally used for routine paperwork delays, to justify outright denials.

At the same time, Washington revoked existing visas for individuals linked to the PLO and PA ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly. The memo was blunt: “Before the PLO and PA can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently repudiate terrorism, including the Oct. 7 massacre, and end incitement to terrorism in education.”

For years, the Palestinian leadership has played a double game—speaking of “peace” in English while glorifying martyrdom in Arabic classrooms and official broadcasts. The new policy signals the end of that charade. No more handshakes in New York while preaching jihad in Ramallah.

The message is simple: until the PA abandons terror and incitement, the doors of the United States are closed.

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