EU urges US to lift travel ban on Palestinian delegation for UNGA meeting

The United Nations General Assembly will allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address via a prerecorded video.The European Union says it regrets the denial of visas by the United States for the second year running to Palestinian Authority (PA) officials seeking to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, urging it to reconsider the decision.The statement on Saturday comes just days after the UNGA voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the body during the upcoming 81st session via a prerecorded statement.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Animated map shows spread of illegal Israeli settlements across Palestinelist 2 of 3Settlers, soldiers, and Israeli impunity in the West Banklist 3 of 3Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank are choking the Palestinian economyend of list“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,” said Anouar El Anouni, a spokesman for the EU’s diplomatic service.On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed regret at Washington’s decision, adding he was concerned about its impact “on the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations”.The US Department of State announced on Wednesday that it would prolong visa sanctions on officials of the PA and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the State Department said in a statement.The department accused the PA of violating US law by bypassing direct negotiations to seek international recognition of Palestinian statehood.