The United Nations General Assembly will allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address it via a prerecorded video due to ongoing visa denials by the United States for Palestinian Authority (PA) officials for the second consecutive year.
The European Union expressed regret over the US decision and urged a reconsideration, stating it undermines the PA’s ability to participate fully in UN activities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced concerns about the implications for Palestinian participation.
The US Department of State extended visa sanctions against PA officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, citing a lack of reform and actions that undermine peace prospects. Despite this, no US travel restrictions are in place for Israeli officials, including those facing international scrutiny.
Abbas’s upcoming address is expected to advocate for international recognition of Palestinian statehood and address issues such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, illegal Israeli settlements, and violence in the West Bank. The PA welcomed the UN’s decision, viewing it as a breakthrough in ensuring Palestine’s participation in the assembly.
