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📍 Copenhagen, Denmark — The European Union has formally requested that the United States reconsider its decision to deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.
Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas cited international law and the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, which obliges the U.S. to facilitate access for invited delegates. “In light of the existing agreements between the UN and its host state, we all urge for this decision to be reconsidered,” Kallas stated.
The U.S. State Department announced on Friday that it would revoke or deny visas to PA and PLO officials, including PA President Mahmoud Abbas and approximately 80 others. While the PA’s permanent UN mission will receive waivers, the broader ban has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials, who argue the move violates international obligations and undermines diplomatic engagement.
France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has announced plans to formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming assembly, joining a growing list of nations pushing for recognition. Currently, 147 of the UN’s 193 member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.
The U.S. maintains that the visa restrictions serve national security interests and reflect concerns over the PA’s alleged failure to meet peace commitments. The controversy echoes a similar incident in 1988, when the U.S. denied a visa to PLO leader Yasser Arafat, prompting the UN to relocate its meeting to Geneva.
Excerpts from Jurist.com article by Lowri Thomas | New York U. School of Law, US
