The United Nations General Assembly has voted decisively to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address next week’s annual gathering of world leaders via video link after the United States denied him and approximately 80 other Palestinian officials visas to travel to New York. The resolution, adopted on September 19, 2025, received 145 votes in favor, with only five nations, Israel, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, and the United States voting against it, and six abstentions. This move highlights the growing international isolation of the U.S. and Israel regarding their stance on Palestine and reflects broader solidarity with the Palestinian cause amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza.
US Visa Denial
The Trump administration’s decision to revoke visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority was justified under claims of national security and non-compliance with the Oslo Accords. However, critics argue this violates the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, which obligates the U.S. to permit foreign diplomats access to UN proceedings. U.S. diplomat Jonathan Shrier defended the move, stating it aimed to hold Palestinian leadership "accountable for undermining peace prospects". Conversely, UN officials and international legal experts have condemned the visa denials as politically motivated and inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
Two-State Solution Summit
The video address authorization coincides with a high-level summit on September 22, convened by France and Saudi Arabia, to rally support for a two-state solution. Several Western nations, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Belgium, and France, are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state during this event. The U.S. and Israel have opposed these efforts, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming such recognition "emboldens Hamas" and undermines negotiations. Despite this, the overwhelming UN vote signals a global shift toward endorsing Palestinian statehood, with 147 UN member states already recognizing Palestine.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The visa dispute occurs against the backdrop of Israel’s devastating military offensive in Gaza, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, displaced millions, and triggered a famine. The U.S. has further isolated itself by repeatedly vetoing UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access. UN humanitarian officials describe conditions in Gaza as "cataclysmic," with Israel blocking aid and targeting civilian infrastructure. The General Assembly’s support for Abbas’s video address is thus viewed as a rebuke of U.S. and Israeli policies and a stand for Palestinian rights.