EU presses Washington to reverse visa ban on Palestinian UN delegation

The European Union has called upon the United States to reconsider its visa ban on Palestinian officials participating in the UN General Assembly. This comes after Washington extended its visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority (PA) officials for the second consecutive year. The EU expressed regret over the ban, citing the US's legal responsibilities as the host nation of the UN.

The EU's spokesman, Anouar El Anouni, urged the US to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the impact on the State of Palestine's ability to fully participate in UN activities. The US State Department defended the ban, accusing Palestinian leadership of failing to implement reforms and engaging in actions that undermine peace prospects.

The US specifically criticized the PA for bypassing direct negotiations with Israel and taking disputes to international courts. Notably, Israel has not faced similar travel bans, despite an ongoing arrest warrant against its Prime Minister for war crimes in Gaza. The visa restrictions have sparked diplomatic tensions between the EU and the US, with the EU highlighting the contrast in treatment between Israeli and Palestinian officials.