The European Union urges the United States to reconsider its decision on visas for Palestinian officials
August 30, 2025202 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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In a new diplomatic development, the European Union called on the United States to reconsider its decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials intending to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next September.
This position came during a meeting of the foreign ministers of the bloc in Copenhagen, where the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed "our urgent request to reconsider this decision, based on international law." She added that the situation in Gaza is no longer bearable, noting that several European countries have taken serious measures against the Israeli government.
For his part, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that "Israel is currently undermining the two-state solution through its actions in Gaza," affirming his country's absolute rejection of the narrative supporting Hamas.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that he sent a message to the EU's foreign policy chief regarding the need for a comprehensive European action on the Gaza Strip. Spain proposed a five-point action plan:
Ban European arms sales to Israel
Expand sanctions lists to include those obstructing the two-state solution
Financially support the Palestinian Authority and confront Israel's withholding of Palestinian funds
Comply with the rulings and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice
Completely suspend the agreement between the EU and Israel
The Spanish minister confirmed that "the majority of European countries will soon recognize the State of Palestine," noting that Spain has been among the frontrunners on this path. He added that about 10 other countries are expected to announce their recognition of the State of Palestine.
He also emphasized that depriving the Palestinian delegation of attending United Nations meetings is "unacceptable," considering that this issue enjoys international consensus and that the European Union should lead the defense of it.
These developments come at a time when international condemnations of the situation in Gaza are increasing, amid warnings from relief organizations of a worsening humanitarian disaster in the besieged enclave, where thousands are suffering from famine and a severe shortage of essential humanitarian aid.
This position came during a meeting of the foreign ministers of the bloc in Copenhagen, where the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed "our urgent request to reconsider this decision, based on international law." She added that the situation in Gaza is no longer bearable, noting that several European countries have taken serious measures against the Israeli government.
For his part, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that "Israel is currently undermining the two-state solution through its actions in Gaza," affirming his country's absolute rejection of the narrative supporting Hamas.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that he sent a message to the EU's foreign policy chief regarding the need for a comprehensive European action on the Gaza Strip. Spain proposed a five-point action plan:
Ban European arms sales to Israel
Expand sanctions lists to include those obstructing the two-state solution
Financially support the Palestinian Authority and confront Israel's withholding of Palestinian funds
Comply with the rulings and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice
Completely suspend the agreement between the EU and Israel
The Spanish minister confirmed that "the majority of European countries will soon recognize the State of Palestine," noting that Spain has been among the frontrunners on this path. He added that about 10 other countries are expected to announce their recognition of the State of Palestine.
He also emphasized that depriving the Palestinian delegation of attending United Nations meetings is "unacceptable," considering that this issue enjoys international consensus and that the European Union should lead the defense of it.
These developments come at a time when international condemnations of the situation in Gaza are increasing, amid warnings from relief organizations of a worsening humanitarian disaster in the besieged enclave, where thousands are suffering from famine and a severe shortage of essential humanitarian aid.
