France’s Macron calls out US for denying Palestinians visas

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out against the US decision to not grant visas to Palestinian officials for the UN General Assembly, The New Arab via Reuters reported on September 3rd.

Macron described the decision as “unacceptable” and called for it to be reversed on September 2nd.

He wrote on X: “We call for this measure to be reversed and for Palestinian representation to be ensured in accordance with the Host Country Agreement.” These remarks were made after speaking with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. On September 22nd, the two will co-chair the Conference on a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel.

On August 29th, the Trump administration announced that the visas of officials from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) would be revoked. Consequently, Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and others will not be able to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly. It is at this meeting that several world leaders, which are US allies, will recognise Palestine as a state – Macron is one of them, committing to this on July 24th. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is another. US President Donald Trump criticised this decision and stated that it would reward Hamas, which the UK denied.

The UK has given some insight behind this decision, with the UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, claiming it was not made to “reward Hamas,” arguing that the decision was “about the Palestinian people.”

“Our objective is clear: to rally the broadest possible international support for the Two-State Solution – the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians,” Macron stated. He added: “No offensive, annexation attempt, or forced displacement of populations will derail the momentum we have created with the Crown Prince, momentum that many partners have already joined.”