The European Union expressed regret over the US decision to extend visa denial for Palestinian Authority officials and Palestine Liberation Organization members seeking to attend the UN General Assembly. The bloc urged the US to reconsider the move, citing its host state obligations to the UN.
The US visa denial and the EU's objection highlight ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding Palestinian representation at the UN and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potentially impacting international efforts toward a two-state solution.
The European Union on Saturday expressed regret over the United States' decision to extend visa denials for Palestinian Authority officials and Palestine Liberation Organization members seeking to attend the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly. The bloc urged the US to reconsider the move, citing its obligations as the UN host state.
The US State Department announced earlier this week that it would prolong visa sanctions, stating that the PA had failed to reform and had bypassed direct negotiations with Israel, sought international recognition of Palestinian statehood, and taken its dispute with Israel to international courts. The department also cited the PA’s financial support for individuals deemed convicted attackers by the US and Israel.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be permitted to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly via a prerecorded video. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced regret and concern about the US decision's impact on Palestine's full participation in the UN's work. Anouar El Anouni, a spokesman for the EU’s diplomatic service, stated that the US should reconsider the decision in light of its headquarters agreements with the UN.