UN Allows Palestinian President to Speak via Video to World Leaders

SadaNews - The United Nations General Assembly voted today, Friday, in favor of allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver a speech via video at the annual meeting of world leaders in a few days, following the announcement from the United States that it would not grant him a visa to enter New York.

The decision received 145 votes in favor and five against, while six countries abstained from voting.

The UN General Assembly voted today, Friday, on a draft resolution aimed at allowing President Abbas to deliver a pre-recorded speech at the upcoming two-state solution conference scheduled for next Monday, as well as during the General Assembly’s 80th session on Thursday.

The draft resolution stipulates that President Abbas is allowed to present a pre-recorded statement that will be shown in the main hall during discussions at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. It also allows the State of Palestine to present statements through video or pre-recorded messages during the two-state solution conference.

The draft resolution indicated the possibility of Palestine participating in other UN meetings through the same mechanism, expressing regret over the US authorities' decision to deny visas and revoke others for the Palestinian delegation, led by President Abbas, which prevented them from participating in person in this session.

This decision will be in effect, after its adoption by the General Assembly, for only one year during the 80th session, and it will not set a precedent for future applications.

More than 140 heads of state and government are heading to New York next week to attend the annual UN General Assembly summit, which this year will be dominated by the issue of the future of Palestinians and Gaza, despite the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian president and his delegation will be absent from the summit after Washington denied them visas to travel to the United States to participate in the meeting.

The humanitarian catastrophe pervading the devastated and besieged Gaza Strip will dominate discussions, following two years since the start of the Israeli assault on the territory after Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair meetings starting Monday to consider the future of the two-state solution aimed at establishing a peaceful coexistence between an Israeli and a Palestinian state.

After the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a text last week supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state but without Hamas, it is expected that several countries, notably France, will officially recognize the State of Palestine.

Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, described this move as a "symbolic" gesture that could hold real importance "if the countries recognizing Palestine take further steps to pressure Israel to end its campaign in Gaza."

Gowan warned of an Israeli response and the risk of "escalation" from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will address the General Assembly and has declared that there will be no Palestinian state during his tenure.

The United States, Israel's primary ally, opposed the recognition of the State of Palestine and refused to grant visas to the Palestinian delegation led by Mahmoud Abbas.

All eyes will be on US President Donald Trump, who since returning to the White House has issued several executive orders that include enormous cuts in US foreign aid, undermining the work of UN agencies amid escalating humanitarian needs.

Amid the deep financial crisis and ongoing wars, the United Nations quietly marked its 80th anniversary while attempting to fend off criticism directed at its effectiveness.