UN Assembly Allows Abbas to Address Session Via Pre-Recorded Video After US Visa Denial

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution allowing Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, to deliver a pre-recorded video address at the upcoming session. This decision follows the United States' refusal to grant him a visa for travel to New York. The resolution passed with 152 votes in favor, while Israel, the U.S., and Paraguay voted against it, with four countries abstaining.

The decision also permits Abu Mazen and other senior Palestinian officials to participate remotely in UN events for the next year if they are unable to travel to the U.S. The U.S. State Department had announced on September 16th the extension of visa restrictions for representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.

Washington cited Palestinian appeals to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, efforts to gain international recognition outside of negotiations with Israel, and continued payments to "terrorists" as reasons for the restrictions. This marks the second consecutive year the U.S. has denied Abu Mazen a visa for the UN General Assembly; he also addressed the session via video link in 2023.

The general debate for the 81st session of the General Assembly is scheduled to take place in New York from September 22nd to 28th.