European Union urges US to reconsider visa refusal for Palestinian delegation attending UN

The European Union called on the United States on Saturday to reconsider its decision to deny entry visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and members of his delegation ahead of the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Why is the European Union urging the US to rethink the visa refusal?

Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS), expressed regret over Washington's decision to extend visa denials for a second consecutive year. The spokesperson highlighted the host country's international legal commitments, stating: "In light of its existing headquarters agreements with the UN and its obligations as host state, we urge the United States for this decision to be reconsidered."

The EU statement aligns with concerns raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that barring diplomatic representatives impedes the State of Palestine's ability to participate fully in UN proceedings. In response to the restriction, the UN General Assembly voted 152–3 on Thursday to permit President Abbas to deliver his address to world leaders via a prerecorded video statement.

What arguments did Washington cite for the diplomatic sanctions?

The US State Department defended the visa refusals by citing standing legislative measures regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority. Washington accused the leadership of failing to curtail political stipends to families of detained or slain Palestinians—despite recent PA welfare restructuring—and criticized ongoing legal efforts at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) aimed at securing unilateral statehood recognition.

Under the current ruling, representation at the assembly session in Manhattan will be restricted exclusively to diplomats currently accredited to the permanent Palestinian Observer Mission to the United Nations.