Abbas to Address UN General Assembly by Video After U.S. Denies Visa

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the United Nations General Assembly via video next week after being denied a U.S. visa, marking the second consecutive year he will participate remotely.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution allowing Abbas to deliver his address by video. The measure was adopted with 152 votes in favor, three against, and four abstentions.

Under the resolution, any senior Palestinian official who is unable to travel to the United States will also be permitted to participate in UN meetings and conferences via video for the next year.

Last year, the United States rejected or revoked visas for nearly 80 Palestinians, including Abbas, as well as officials from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) based in the occupied West Bank. On Wednesday, Washington announced an expansion of visa restrictions targeting Palestinian officials.

Ahead of the vote, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said the Palestinian Authority must end what she described as "financing terrorism" and stop using "diplomatic theatrics as a substitute for serious governance" if it seeks to be treated as a credible partner.

The Palestinian leadership strongly rejected and condemned the U.S. decision. Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, voiced the leadership's objections during the General Assembly session.

The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that the expanded visa restrictions were imposed in response to what it called Palestinian efforts to "internationalize" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and pursue legal action against Israel in international tribunals. However, it did not identify the specific officials affected.

A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the United States had denied Mahmoud Abbas's visa application.

Under the 1947 United Nations Headquarters Agreement, the United States is generally required to facilitate the entry of foreign diplomats attending official UN meetings in New York. However, Washington maintains that it has the authority to deny visas on grounds related to national security, counterterrorism, or foreign policy.