Abbas Rejects UN Ban on Palestinian Delegation's In-Person Participation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected a decision to prevent the Palestinian delegation from participating in person at United Nations General Assembly meetings. Abbas stated that barring the delegation should not be used as a means to punish the Palestinian people and their leadership for their political stances. These remarks came as Palestine participates in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where Abbas delivered his speech via a pre-recorded video due to his inability to attend in person.

Earlier, on September 17, the General Assembly adopted a resolution, supported by 152 countries, that rejected a US decision to block the Palestinian delegation's participation. Abbas reiterated his opposition to the ban, emphasizing that measures preventing the delegation's attendance should not target the Palestinian people and leadership for demanding an end to the occupation.

Palestine is participating in the current General Assembly session through alternative means, as Abbas and his accompanying delegation were denied entry visas to New York. The UN confirmed that the September 17 resolution allowed the Palestinian President to submit a pre-recorded speech for broadcast during the general debate.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the General Assembly's resolution, viewing the vote as a rejection of the ban and confirming that Abbas's speech would be delivered via video. The Palestinian leadership continues to assert its political and diplomatic presence at international forums, despite the physical absence of the President and his delegation.