Palestinian president delivers UN speech by video after US denies visa again

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been prohibited from entering the United States and will instead deliver his speech at the United Nations General Assembly virtually. This is the second consecutive year that the Trump administration has denied Abbas and his delegation entry into the US. The decision to ban Abbas is particularly notable given that the Trump administration allowed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his delegation to enter the US.

During the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February, Iran has attacked and killed US forces, destroyed American military equipment, and damaged US bases. However, the Palestinian Authority, which is supposed to take over Gaza under the stalled 20-point ceasefire plan, will not have the opportunity to meet with a US delegation as there were no talks between the US and the Palestinian delegation.