France Criticizes US Ban on Palestinian Officials Attending UN General Assembly

The French government has denounced the United States’ decision to deny visas to Palestinian representatives for the upcoming UN General Assembly, as stated by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Barrot emphasized the importance of unrestricted access to the UN event during an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Denmark. The stance was echoed by other European ministers present, who supported France’s call for the US to allow the Palestinian delegation to attend. The US action has raised concerns, especially considering France’s efforts to advance the recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN in New York. This move is seen as reinforcing the US’s alignment with the Israeli government amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Under its agreement as the host country of the UN, the United States is typically expected to permit access to officials attending. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a visa ban, preventing Palestinian officials from attending the annual UN General Assembly. The ban targets officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation who are not assigned to the Palestinian mission at the UN. The US Department of State issued a statement explaining the visa ban, citing US law and the goal of holding the PLO and PA accountable for actions that hinder peace prospects. The statement required the Palestinian Authority to distance itself from terrorism, condemning it and ceasing support. It further demanded that the PA stop inciting terrorism in education and halt attempts to circumvent negotiations through international legal actions, alleging such actions contributed to the breakdown of ceasefire talks in Gaza.