PES - Party of European Socialists

09/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2026 09:46

Palestine once again blocked from entering the UN: Trump must stop the instrumentalisation of visa

Palestine once again blocked from entering the UN: Trump must stop the instrumentalisation of visa
September 17, 2026
Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law
2 minute read
Palestine once again blocked from entering the UN: Trump must stop the instrumentalisation of visa
The Party of European Socialists strongly condemns the decision by the United States, for the second consecutive year, to deny visas to representatives of the Palestinian Authority, including President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing them from attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. By blocking Palestinian representatives from the UN General Assembly, the Trump Administration is undermining diplomacy at precisely the moment when every effort should be focused on upholding international law, protecting human dignity and advancing peace.

As social democrats, we believe peace cannot be built by silencing one side, excluding legitimate representatives from international institutions, or undermining the equal right of peoples to be heard. This principle applies regardless of which country, people, or authority is seeking visas to attend the UN General Assembly. Access to the UN must be guaranteed to all and never depend on political convenience or selective approval by the host country. The United Nations must remain a place where conflicts are addressed through diplomacy, not where access is used as a political weapon.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"Peace requires dialogue, not exclusion. No delegation should face the threat of exclusion from the United Nations because of political disagreement. The United States must respect its responsibilities as host country of the United Nations. Denying Palestinian representatives access to the UN weakens diplomacy and undermines the principles of multilateralism we must all defend."

The PES calls on the United States to reverse this decision and respect its responsibilities as host country of the United Nations. We further urge all international partners to redouble efforts towards an immediate and lasting peace, the protection of civilians, accountability under international law, and the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition.

At this critical moment, Europe and the international community must stand firmly for diplomacy, justice and the equal dignity of all peoples. Exclusion will not bring peace. Only dialogue, rights and political courage can.
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