BRUSSELS, September 19, 2026 (WAFA) — The European Union today urged the United States to reconsider its decision to deny visas to President Mahmoud Abbas and members of the Palestinian delegation to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, expressing regret that the measure has been repeated for a second consecutive year.

An EU diplomatic service spokesperson said the bloc regretted the extension of the denial of entry visas to members of the Palestinian delegation, stressing that, in light of the United States' existing headquarters agreements with the United Nations and its obligations as host country, Washington should reconsider the decision.

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by a vote of 152 in favor to three against, with four abstentions, allowing the State of Palestine to participate in the high-level general debate virtually and calling on the United States to reverse its decision preventing the Palestinian delegation from attending in person.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates criticized the US decision and said it had ignored reforms that the State of Palestine had implemented, including unifying the social protection system on the basis of social and economic need and carrying out a national reform program in the financial, administrative, educational and legal fields through clear, transparent and verifiable mechanisms.

The ministry rejected any restrictions preventing the full participation of the official Palestinian delegation in UN meetings, describing such measures as an infringement on its rights and on the United Nations, and called for ensuring access to UN meetings for all accredited members of the official Palestinian delegation.

It also called on the US administration to reconsider the decision, end its policy of sanctions and restrictions, and engage in direct and serious Palestinian-US dialogue to address outstanding issues and resume bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, relevant UN resolutions and the peace plan.

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