Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will not attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly after the US government blocked his application for entry. The Trump administration denied the Palestinian leader a visa to speak at the assembly for the second consecutive year, US and Palestinian officials told the Times of Israel.

The UN General Assembly votes Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. on a draft resolution allowing Palestine to participate through video or pre-recorded statements if representatives are barred from New York. The resolution expresses regret over the US visa denial and seeks an immediate reversal of the decision to ensure Palestinian representatives can attend the meetings in person.