A resolution allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the United Nations General Assembly via video link passed 152 to 3 with four abstentions. The vote authorizes the remote address for next week's annual gathering of world leaders after the US denied Abbas a visa to travel to New York. Israel, the US, and Paraguay were the only countries to vote against the measure.

Washington blocked entry for Palestinian officials over efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by pursuing cases against Israel at international tribunals. This marks the second consecutive year the US has denied the Palestinian leader a visa, despite a 1947 headquarters agreement that generally requires the US to allow foreign diplomats access to the UN. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed the UN vote.