UN General Assembly votes to let Abbas speak by video after US denies visa

The UN General Assembly voted 152–3 to let President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a US visa for a second year, address the session by video.

• The assembly voted 152–3, with four abstentions, on a resolution demanding Washington reverse its visa ban and allow Abbas to address the session by video.
• The US State Department said the Trump administration extended visa restrictions against Palestinian Authority and PLO officials, denying Abbas and his delegation entry.
• Washington cited unmet reforms, Palestinian legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, and payments to families of convicted militants.
• Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour called the denial a "clear violation" of US obligations under the 1947 headquarters agreement.
• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed the vote, calling the visa denial a violation of the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement.
• Abbas is to deliver his address on 24 September via a televised video feed.