US Visa Denied: Palestinian President to Deliver UN Speech via Video

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution permitting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver a speech to the General Assembly via video, following the United States’ refusal to grant him a visa, according to RIA Novosti correspondents on Thursday.

Only a day prior, the US Department of State announced that US authorities had extended sanctions against the Palestinian leadership. This has resulted in Abbas being unable to obtain a visa to attend the UN General Assembly, mirroring the situation faced last year.

The US Department of State stated it had informed Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) had failed to meet their obligations to the US, prompting action by the American authorities.

Under the adopted document, the General Assembly decided that “the State of Palestine may present a pre-recorded statement by the President of Palestine, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall during the general debate of the Assembly at its 80th session, following an introduction by its representatives physically present in the General Assembly Hall.”

The document was supported by 152 nations, while three countries opposed it and four abstained. The General Assembly also expressed regret over the US decision to deny visas to Palestinian representatives.