Europe Calls on Washington to Reconsider Visa Ban for Palestinian Delegation

Brussels - Afaq News - The European Union called on Saturday for the United States to reconsider its decision to deny visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and members of the Palestinian delegation to participate in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, expressing regret over the repetition of this action for the second consecutive year.

This European stance comes after the United States maintained restrictions on granting visas to Abbas and about 80 other Palestinian officials, preventing them from attending the high-level meetings of the 81st session of the General Assembly in person. The restrictions do not apply to currently accredited members of the Palestinian mission to the United Nations.

The United Nations General Assembly had voted on Thursday, with a majority of 152 countries in favor, 3 against, and 4 abstentions, to allow the high-level Palestinian delegation to participate via video technology in UN meetings during the period when their attendance is hindered due to US visa restrictions.

The decision was opposed by the United States, Israel, and Paraguay, while Colombia, Honduras, Panama, and Peru abstained from voting.

Previously, Washington had prevented Abbas and Palestinian officials from obtaining visas to participate in the General Assembly meetings in 2025, forcing the Palestinian president at that time to deliver his speech via video.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed his regret over the American decision on Friday, and his spokesperson stated that Guterres is concerned about its impact on the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations.

The American administration justifies the visa restrictions by citing Palestinian actions before international institutions, including recourse to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, in addition to efforts to gain international recognition of the Palestinian state outside the negotiation process.

For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the American decision, considering it "unjustified and contrary to the efforts made to restore trust and develop Palestinian-American relations, and to create the necessary political climate for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability in the region."

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced on September 8, while the high-level general debate in New York will begin on September 22 and continue until the 28th, with Abbas scheduled to deliver his speech on September 24.