UN allows Abbas, senior Palestinian officials to again speak via video after US denies visa

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Thursday to permit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials to address international gatherings via video instead of traveling to New York, following the United States' denial of their visas for the second consecutive year. The resolution garnered 152 votes in favor, with only three votes against and four countries abstaining.

Fourteen other countries abstained from voting. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized Abbas' funding of terror, stating that the Palestinian leader should not be granted access to the UN General Assembly while perpetuating this policy. The US has extended visa bans on Abbas and approximately 80 other Palestinians, including members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, citing their support for terror activities.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour condemned the US decision, while Palestinian leaders rejected and condemned the move by Washington. The US State Department extended its visa sanctions against Palestinian officials for their actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including filing cases against Israel at international tribunals.