France Urges US to Allow Palestinian Access UN Summit Amid Visa Denial

The United States' decision to deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly has drawn sharp criticism from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and other European Union ministers. Barrot emphasized that access to the UN General Assembly should not be restricted, highlighting the US obligation under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement to grant visas to UN representatives regardless of political tensions. The US State Department justified the visa denials by accusing the PA and PLO of failing to reject terrorism and pursuing unilateral recognition efforts through international courts. Palestinian officials condemned the move as a breach of international law and the UN agreement, with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who intended to attend, being specifically barred. France is leading a push at the assembly for the recognition of a Palestinian state, and several European ministers have joined calls for the US to reverse its visa policy. The situation has sparked a diplomatic confrontation and raised questions about the US's responsibilities as host nation of the United Nations.