The United Nations General Assembly has voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address next week's annual gathering of world leaders via video link, after the United States refused to grant him a visa. The resolution passed with 145 votes in favour, five against, and six abstentions.
The US has denied visas to up to 90 members of the Palestinian delegation, who were due to attend both a Monday conference on a two-state solution and the General Assembly high-level week starting Tuesday. Several Western states, including Canada, France, the UK, Belgium, and Australia, are expected to formally recognise Palestine at the Monday conference. The UK announcement is anticipated on Sunday, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy taking a lead role, emphasising that recognition assumes Hamas will not be part of a future Palestinian government.
Abbas had intended to address the General Assembly to thank nations recognising Palestinian self-determination and to outline his vision for a future Palestine free from Hamas rule. Meanwhile, Iran's nuclear programme is also in focus, with apparent breakdown in talks between Tehran and European leaders over the reimposition of UN sanctions. France, the UK, and Germany claim Iran is failing to re-engage with the US after the US-Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites.
The Security Council on Friday rejected a resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, but Tehran and European powers have eight days to negotiate a delay. Iran described the European actions as “illegal, unjustified and provocative”. Britain, France, and Germany initiated a 30-day process on 28 August to reimpose sanctions, accusing Tehran of not abiding by a 2015 nuclear deal. Iran says it has sent messages to the US to discuss reopening talks but has received no response.
