Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will deliver a remote address to the UN General Assembly next week after the US State Department denied him and his delegation entry visas. In a 152-3 vote, the General Assembly approved the video link, with only the US, Israel, and Paraguay opposing the measure and four countries abstaining. This is the second consecutive year Washington has blocked the Palestinian Authority leader from attending the annual session in New York.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep regret over the visa ban, stating concern about its impact on the State of Palestine's ability to participate in the organization's work. The US cited the pursuit of cases against Israel at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice as grounds for the restrictions. Washington extended sanctions on members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and PA officials while maintaining a waiver for personnel assigned to the PLO's UN observer mission.