EU urges US to reconsider visa denial to Palestinian delegation

The EU said on Saturday it regrets the United States' decision to extend the denial of entry visas for members of the Palestinian delegation for a second year in a row ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In a statement, the EU urged the United States to reconsider the decision, citing its existing headquarters agreements with the UN and its obligations as the host country.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was due to travel to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, but the United States has again refused to grant him a visa, marking the second consecutive year he has been denied entry to the gathering.

The General Assembly voted on Thursday to allow Abbas to appear virtually again this year via video conference or through a pre-recorded address.