EU urges US to reconsider visa denial to Palestinian UN assembly delegation

The European Union has expressed regret over the United States' decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials who wish to attend the UN General Assembly. This same stance was adopted by the US last year, leading to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas being forced to address the UN by video. The EU has urged the US to reconsider its decision, citing the White House's previous decision and referring to Washington's obligations as a UN host state.

US President Donald Trump's administration denied the visas for the Palestinian delegation, leading to Abbas being able to participate virtually this year. The General Assembly voted unanimously to allow Abbas to appear virtually again this year. The US and Israel have voiced objections to the Palestinian Authority's (PA) historical payments to families of imprisoned or slain Palestinians.

The PA has recently reformed this system, allocating welfare payments on a needs basis rather than political affiliation or prisoner status. The US also opposes Palestinian actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.