The EU said on Saturday it regretted Washington’s decision to deny visas for the second year running to Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly, urging a rethink, Euractiv reports.
The US State Department said this week it was refusing to grant visas to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and other members of his delegation ahead of next week’s meeting in New York.
“We regret the decision to extend the denial of entry visas for members of the Palestinian delegation for a second year in a row,” said a spokesperson for the EU’s diplomatic service.
“In light of its existing headquarters agreements with the UN and its obligations as host state, we urge the United States to reconsider this decision.”
The Trump administration denied visas for the Palestinian delegation also last year, forcing Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority, to address the body of global leadership by video.
The General Assembly voted 152-3 on Thursday to allow Abbas to appear virtually once again this year.
As it stands, only members of the Palestinian mission to the UN can attend the meeting, which begins Tuesday.
On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed regret at Washington’s decision, adding he was concerned about its impact “on the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations”.
The United States is at odds with the 142 UN member states that recognised a Palestinian state at the United Nations last year.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
