The United Nations General Assembly has voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address world leaders by video next week. The decision came after the United States again denied him a visa to travel to New York.
The resolution passed on Thursday with 152 votes in favor and three against. Four countries abstained. It also allows Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials to join UN meetings and conferences by video for the next year if they cannot travel to the United States.
The decision marks the second consecutive year that Abbas will address the annual UN gathering remotely. The United States denied him a visa again ahead of this year’s meeting.
US Defends Palestinian Visa Restrictions
Washington extended its visa restrictions on Palestinian officials on Wednesday. The measures affect members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.
The US previously said about 80 Palestinians could face visa denials or revoked visas under the policy.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce defended the decision before Thursday’s vote. She said the Palestinian Authority should stop what Washington describes as support for terrorism. Bruce also criticized the Palestinian leadership for pursuing diplomatic measures instead of what she called serious governance.
Palestinian officials rejected the US position. Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour condemned Washington’s decision before the General Assembly.
The US State Department said the restrictions would remain in place because of actions by Palestinian officials that Washington said sought to “internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” The department specifically referred to Palestinian efforts to pursue cases against Israel before international tribunals.
Abbas to Address UN Remotely
A Palestinian official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the United States had denied Abbas a visa.
The dispute comes as the annual UN General Assembly prepares to bring world leaders together in New York. The Palestinian president will now be able to participate remotely under the resolution approved by member states.
The measure also covers other senior Palestinian officials. They can use video participation during UN meetings over the next year if US travel restrictions prevent them from entering the country.
The arrangement reflects a continuing dispute over Palestinian access to the UN headquarters in New York. The United States generally has obligations under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement to allow foreign diplomats access to the organization.
However, Washington maintains that it can deny visas for reasons involving security, extremism and US foreign policy.
The vote therefore allows Abbas to maintain a formal presence at the UN gathering despite the US visa decision.
