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Preventing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly in New York “proved to be a failure,” as the Palestinian issue featured prominently in speeches by Arab and international delegations, a Palestinian official said Wednesday, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said attempts to prevent the Palestinian delegation from taking part in the General Assembly and delivering its speech had not succeeded in marginalizing the Palestinian cause.
For the second consecutive year, the United States refused to grant visas to Abbas and Palestinian officials to attend General Assembly meetings. As a result, Abbas participated through a recorded video message.
Abbas allowed to address assembly by video
Under the UN Headquarters Agreement signed with Washington in 1947, the United States, as the host country, is required to facilitate access to the UN headquarters in New York for representatives of states and entities participating in UN meetings.
On Sept. 17, the UN General Assembly approved Abbas’s participation through a recorded speech after the United States refused to issue him an entry visa.
“The voice of the Palestinian people has become strongly present on all continents of the world,” Abu Rudeineh said, adding that it was reflected in UN resolutions and the positions of most member states.
Palestine remains a nonmember observer state
Abu Rudeineh said Palestine would continue participating in the General Assembly and other international forums despite restrictions on its involvement.
Palestine has held nonmember observer state status at the UN since 2012. A majority of the UN’s 193 member states recognize the State of Palestine, while its bid for full membership continues to face a lack of approval from the Security Council.
