Following meeting with PA President Abbas, Ed Davey calls on Govt to summon US Ambassador to demand reversal of "reckless and callous" block on Palestinian visas ahead of UNGA

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on Keir Starmer to summon the US Ambassador to demand the Trump Administration reverses its decision to block visas for Palestinian officials travelling to this month's vital UN General assembly Session.

This call followed a meeting today between President Abbas, Ed, and the Liberal Democrats' Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller. Speaking after the meeting, Ed called President Trump's decision "reckless and callous".

During the meeting, Ed raised the importance of the UK doing more to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza - both for the millions of Gazans whose lives have been devastated by the Israeli Government's offensive and aid block, and for the hostages still held in brutal captivity by Hamas.

The discussion also focused on the need to strengthen the Palestinian Authority's reform agenda, as well as how vital it that the international community - including the UK - moves irreversibly towards recognition of the state of Palestine during the UNGA meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

"I was pleased to have the chance to meet and speak with President Abbas. We discussed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the importance of doing everything we can to bring the suffering to an end - including for the Palestinians living under the daily threat of bombs and displacement, and for the hostages who continue to face torture and captivity at the hands of Hamas terrorists.

"As the UN General Assembly session gets under way, it's absolutely essential that Palestinians are represented. Yet President Trump has taken the reckless and callous decision to block their officials' visa applications.

“To make strides for peace, we need those who are committed to a negotiated ceasefire in the room.

“Keir Starmer needs to call in the US Ambassador and demand that Trump reverses that decision - or forfeit the US' status as the host nation for the UN. He can't be allowed to act as a block on progress towards a two-state solution."
 

ENDS