BRUSSELS: The European Union (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.
“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 Anouar El Anouni, a spokesman for the EU’s diplomatic service.
#UNGA81/#Palestine: Statement by the Spokespersonhttps://t.co/pfdVDQQBzR
— Anouar El Anouni 🇪🇺 (@AnouarEUspox) September 19, 2026
“In light of its existing headquarters agreements with the UN and its obligations as host state, we urge the United States for this decision to be reconsidered,” the statement said.
UN Chief regrets US visa refusal to Abbas
Earlier on Friday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also regretted Washington’s decision to deny Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas a visa for a second consecutive year, preventing him from attending next week’s General Assembly.
“The Secretary-General is concerned about the impact of this decision on the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
The US State Department said it would deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) including Mahmoud Abbas citing their failures to meet commitments and actions that undermine prospects for peace.
🚨🚨 Statement by Ambassador Husam
Zomlot on the unlawful barring of Palestine’s delegation from the UN General Assembly meetingLondon, 17 September 2026
The US administration has unlawfully denied a visa to the President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/7JM1x3bwzN
— Palestine in the UK (@Palestine_in_UK) September 17, 2026
The General Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address next week’s high-level debate by pre-recorded video after the US refused to issue visas for Palestine’s delegation.
The resolution was passed overwhelmingly with 152 votes in favor, four abstentions (Colombia, Honduras, Panama and Peru), and three against, including the US, Israel and Paraguay.
Visa decision announced
The Trump administration took a similar step last year, requiring Abbas, a regular participant at the General Assembly, to address world leaders through a video message instead of attending in person.
The State Department accused the PLO and PA of supporting actions at international organisations that Washington said contradicted previous commitments.
It also criticised Palestinian efforts at institutions including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as moves seeking international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Regional tensions
The visa decision comes amid continued violence in the occupied West Bank, where attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have increased in recent months.
ALSO READ: UN Chief Regrets US Visa Refusal to Palestinian Leader Abbas
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence in the territory has intensified since October 7, 2023.
At least 1,109 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers in the West Bank since October 2023.
The conflict has also led to a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the territory’s health ministry says more than 73,700 people have been killed during Israel’s military campaign. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
