In a united front on Saturday, EU foreign ministers gathered in Copenhagen and unanimously called on the United States to reconsider its recent decision to deny entry visas to officials from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The U.S. Department of State announced on Friday that it is "denying and revoking visas from members of the PLO and the PA ahead of the upcoming UNGA," a move that EU diplomats say risks undermining diplomatic channels during a critical moment for Middle East peace efforts.
A key point of debate at the meeting was the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters that, "While member states broadly agree on the gravity of the situation, consensus has not been reached on concrete measures." The discussion laid bare deep divisions over whether to impose additional sanctions on Israel.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who chaired the session, noted that "an increasing number of member states believe Israel is unlikely to change course without stronger pressure." Yet finding a unified strategy remains a challenge for the 27-nation bloc.
Outside the venue, demonstrators held banners and chanted slogans calling on Denmark and the EU to step up humanitarian relief efforts for Gaza residents caught in the crossfire. The ministers’ appeal to Washington now heads to the US capital, where it could influence visa policy in time for the UNGA.
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EU ministers urge U.S. to reconsider visa ban on Palestinian officials
cgtn.com
