The European Union has asked this Saturday the authorities of the United States to "reconsider" their refusal to grant visas to the members of the Palestinian delegation, including its president, Mahmud Abbas, which will prevent their physical presence at the UN General Assembly taking place next week in New York.
"In light of the existing host country agreements with the UN and its obligations as a host state, we urge the United States to reconsider this decision," indicated the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), Anouar el Anouni.
In a brief note, the spokesperson expressed his regret over the decision of the Trump Administration, emphasizing that this is the second time that entry has been denied to Palestinian representatives, which will force Abbas to participate in the meeting remotely.
The Trump Administration defended its position by accusing those affected of "glorifying terrorism" and, in particular, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of "continuing to pay stipends to terrorists, as well as glorifying acts of terrorism and terrorists in public statements and school textbooks."
Furthermore, Washington has criticized both parties for "taking actions to internationalize the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, even through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)," as well as for "trying to evade negotiations by seeking unilateral recognition," referring to Palestinian initiatives to bring Israeli officials before international justice for their actions.