EU presses Washington to permit Palestinian delegation at UN General Assembly

European Union officials have urged the United States government to remove travel restrictions that would bar Palestinian delegates from attending the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter.

The restriction has forced Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to prepare a prerecorded address rather than deliver remarks in person before the international body. The move underscores ongoing tensions over access to United States soil for Palestinian representatives and reflects broader disputes over Middle East policy within the international community.

EU representatives have characterized the travel limitations as counterproductive to diplomatic engagement and contrary to the principle of equal representation at the United Nations. The bloc has emphasized that participation in the General Assembly should not be hindered by unilateral travel restrictions on delegations of UN member states or observer entities.

The dispute highlights the complex political dynamics surrounding Palestinian representation at international forums. The Palestinian Authority maintains observer status at the United Nations, which typically permits participation in General Assembly sessions, though enforcement of travel protocols remains a contentious matter.

The prerecorded video address represents a workaround to ensure Palestinian representation at the annual assembly gathering, though EU officials have stressed that such arrangements do not fully substitute for direct diplomatic presence and in-person engagement at the world body.