UN General Assembly approves Mahmoud Abbas video address after US denies visa

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution on Thursday allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver his address to the annual session in New York by recorded video message. The decision followed the refusal by the United States to grant him an entry visa for the second consecutive year. The measure passed with 152 votes in favour, three against, and four abstentions. Under the resolution, Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials are also permitted to participate remotely in UN events over the next year whenever travel to the US remains impossible.

In favour152

Against3

Abstentions4

In favour

152 votes

Against

3 votes

Abstentions

4 votes

Data from the article text

Washington has maintained visa restrictions against officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization, pointing to Palestinian actions in international legal bodies and arguing that Palestinian leaders have failed to meet governance and peace commitments. Palestinian officials rejected those claims as unjustified, stating that the travel restrictions harm bilateral relations and efforts toward a two-state solution. The General Assembly high-level week runs from 22 to 29 September, with the general debate set for 22–26 September and 28 September.