EU ministers urge US to reverse visa ban on Palestinian officials
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Oslo: European Union (EU) foreign ministers have called on the United States to reverse its recent decision to deny entry visas to Palestinian officials ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The call came during a ministerial meeting held in Copenhagen, where EU leaders expressed concern over the move and its broader implications.
In a statement issued Friday, the US Department of State announced it would be “denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA)” in the lead-up to the UNGA session.
During the Copenhagen meeting, the EU ministers also addressed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, discussions were marked by deep divisions among member states regarding the imposition of additional sanctions on Israel.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the severity of the humanitarian crisis, noting that while there is broad consensus on the seriousness of the situation, the bloc remains divided over specific policy actions.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who chaired the gathering, emphasized a growing belief among EU members that stronger pressure may be necessary to influence Israel’s current course of action.
Outside the venue, demonstrators rallied, calling on Denmark and the EU to adopt a firmer stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza and to take decisive humanitarian action.
In a parallel development, the Ministerial Committee established by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza also urged the US to reconsider its visa restrictions on the Palestinian delegation. Meeting in Amman on Saturday, the committee issued a statement expressing “deep regret” over Washington’s decision, which it said contradicts obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement. The agreement ensures the rights of Palestine, as a permanent observer state, to fully participate in UN activities.
According to a statement published by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry on Facebook, the committee warned that the US decision hampers diplomatic efforts and undermines the prospects for meaningful dialogue. It further cautioned that weakening the Palestinian Authority at this critical time could derail peace efforts, fuel escalation, and prolong the ongoing conflict.
With IANS inputs