Contact Us

UN backs Palestinian President Abbas' video address after US visa refusal

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Thursday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the annual gathering of world leaders next week ⁠via video — for the ⁠second year in a row — after the United States again denied him a visa to travel to New York.

Anadolu Agency & Reuters WORLD
Published September 17,2026 11:46 PM
Updated September 17,2026 11:50 PM
Subscribe
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appears on a screen as he addresses delegates at United Nations headquarters in New York (REUTERS File Photo)

The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address next week's high-level debate by pre-recorded video after the US refused to issue visas for Palestine's delegation for a second year.

The resolution passed overwhelmingly with 152 votes in favor, four abstentions, and three against, including the US and Israel.

The move follows Washington's decision to extend visa sanctions denying entry to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA), days before the fall UN General Assembly is set to convene in New York.