EU urges the USA: withdrawal of visa sanctions against Palestinians!

EU urges the USA: withdrawal of visa sanctions against Palestinians!

On August 30, 2025, the EU states criticize the US visa sanctions against representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calls on the US to reconsider its decision. The US State Department has confirmed the sanctions, which are particularly aimed at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other high-ranking officials.

These sanctions could have serious consequences because they endanger the participation of the people concerned at the next UN General Assembly in September in New York. In this session, several states, including France, Canada and Australia, plan to recognize a Palestinian state. However, the official representation of the PA at the United Nations is excluded from the visa restrictions, since it only has an observer status and no full UN member status.

Criticism of the USA

Germany and another 26 EU countries are followed by criticism of the US visa sanctions. After a foreign ministers' meeting in Copenhagen, Kaja Kallas takes stock and emphasizes that a “large majority” of the EU countries has brought additional proposals. However, disagreement among the member states regarding the military operations of Israel remains noticeable in the Gaza Strip.

The US State Department justified the sanctions that were already imposed in July 2023 as steps in national security interests. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio also ordered to reject visa applications from Palestinian representatives in order to account for the PLO and PA for their non -compliance with obligations and the undermining of peace outlook.

The effects of the sanctions

The sanctions are not only a diplomatic measure, but also a concrete response to the security situation in the region. In particular, it is emphasized that the PLO and PA can only be seen as a partner for peace if they decide to reject terrorism, including the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In this context, President Mahmoud Abbas distanced himself from Hamas and condemned the killing of civilians. However, it remains unclear whether Abbas himself could also be denied entry into the United States for the UN General Assembly. An inquiry on the topic at the Foreign Ministry has so far remained unanswered.

The PLO, which was founded in 1964, pursues the goal of building an independent Palestinian state, and includes various groups, including the Fatah. The PA, which was founded in 1994, acts as a DE-FACTO government under Abbas and manages parts of the West Bank.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked the US government for these measures and for the support of Israel in the current conflict. The situation remains tense, and the diplomatic efforts for peace in the region face major challenges.

For more information and detailed reports on the situation, please visit the articles from Vienna.at,, Swissinfo.ch and Zeit.de.