EU urges US to lift travel ban on Palestinian delegation for UNGA meeting

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Published: 2026-09-19T12:05:41.198Z • Permanent link

European Union officials have urged the US government to lift its travel ban on a Palestinian delegation set to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. The ban, imposed by the Trump administration in 2018, restricts Palestinian officials from entering the US unless they have a "bona fide" business or humanitarian purpose. The EU, which has long been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, has expressed concerns that the ban would hinder diplomatic efforts and damage relations between the two regions.

The Palestinian delegation, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is scheduled to attend the UN meeting on September 20, where they are expected to address issues such as the Israeli occupation, the Gaza blockade, and the two-state solution. The US has maintained a policy of recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which has been met with widespread criticism from the international community. The EU's call for the lifting of the travel ban is seen as an attempt to pressure the US to change its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The ban has already had significant consequences for Palestinian officials and diplomats. Many have been forced to travel to third countries, such as Jordan or Egypt, to attend international meetings, while others have been unable to participate in diplomatic efforts due to their inability to enter the US.

The travel ban has significant implications for the global infrastructure sector, particularly in the context of international relations and diplomacy. The US is a major player in the global economy, and its policies can have far-reaching consequences for companies, research communities, and markets around the world. The lifting of the travel ban would send a strong signal that the US is willing to engage in diplomatic efforts and recognize the rights of the Palestinian people.

Several companies, including major technology firms and financial institutions, have already been impacted by the ban. For example, the Israeli tech firm, Wix, has faced criticism for its close ties to the Israeli government and its refusal to provide services to Palestinian customers. Similarly, the US-based investment firm, BlackRock, has faced pressure from activists for its investment in Israeli companies that operate in the West Bank.

The travel ban has also had significant implications for research communities and academia. Many Palestinian scholars and researchers have been unable to attend international conferences and collaborate with their peers due to the ban. This has resulted in a significant loss of intellectual capital and hindered the development of research projects that could have benefited both Israelis and Palestinians.