The European Union has formally appealed to the United States to remove a travel restriction that prevents members of a Palestinian delegation from entering the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting scheduled for later this month. The request was conveyed through diplomatic channels and public statements, emphasizing that the ban hampers the participation of an elected representative body in a key international forum.
The United States imposed the travel ban earlier this year, citing security concerns and alleged links between certain Palestinian officials and extremist groups. The restriction has barred a number of senior Palestinian officials from obtaining visas to attend the UNGA, where they were slated to present the Palestinian position on a range of issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader Middle‑East peace efforts.
EU officials argue that the measure undermines the principle of inclusive dialogue that the United Nations seeks to uphold. They contend that preventing a recognized delegation from speaking at the General Assembly runs counter to the spirit of multilateral engagement and could set a precedent for future exclusions based on political considerations.
The European Union has not specified any conditions for lifting the ban, but it has urged the United States to align its policy with international norms that guarantee the right of states and peoples to participate in UN deliberations. The EU statement also highlighted the importance of maintaining open channels for diplomatic communication, especially amid heightened tensions in the region.
The United States has not yet responded to the EU’s appeal. Analysts note that the timing of the request coincides with heightened scrutiny of US foreign‑policy decisions related to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, as the UNGA session is expected to feature debates on humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and the political status of the territories.
If the travel ban remains in place, the Palestinian delegation may be forced to seek alternative means of representation, such as remote participation or the appointment of a different envoy, which could affect the dynamics of the upcoming UN discussions.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/19/eu-urges-us-to-lift-travel-ban-on-palestinian-delegation-for-unga-meeting?traffic_source=rss.