United Nations Debate: Abbas Granted Video Participation Despite Visa Denial by US Authorities
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has been granted an exception to deliver speeches at the upcoming UN General Assembly's debate next week via video. This decision comes amidst a series of events surrounding the US's stance towards the Palestinian leadership.
The Trump administration's decision to deny visas to the Palestinian representatives is based on their perceived lack of explicit condemnation of terrorists. This move could potentially strain relations between the US and other UN member states, as the US's decision may impact the participation of the Palestinian representatives in UN events, such as the General Debate and other conferences.
Under normal circumstances, the US must issue visas to all representatives of countries traveling to the UN headquarters in Manhattan, according to a contract with the United Nations. However, the US has revoked visas for Abbas and several other representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The US has maintained a firm stance with Israel during the Gaza conflict, a position that has contributed to the current situation. The revocation of visas for the Palestinian representatives contradicts the usual practice for UN delegates and has been met with criticism.
The UN's highest body, with 145 out of 193 countries voting in favor, passed a resolution enabling Abbas to give a virtual address. This resolution also enables Abbas to give a virtual address at a conference on the two-state solution scheduled for Monday. The state referred to by the 108 countries at the UN General Assembly, in which Palestine is recognized as a member state without personal restrictions on Abbas due to his video appearance, is the State of Palestine.
The recognition of Palestine as a state is part of a broader international acknowledgment of Palestine as a state, endorsed by over 140 UN member countries as of 2025, and supported by recent resolutions calling for a two-state solution and ending Hamas's control in Gaza.
Both the UN General Assembly's debate and the conference on the two-state solution are virtual events this year. Abbas' speech at the UN General Debate is scheduled for Thursday. Notably, Germany is one of the countries that voted in favor of the resolution allowing Abbas to speak at the UN General Assembly.
The US's decision to revoke visas for the Palestinian representatives is a controversial move that has raised questions about the US's commitment to fairness and impartiality at the UN. The move could have far-reaching implications for the US's diplomatic relations with other UN member states.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
