UN Lets Abbas Address Assembly Remotely After US Visa Ban

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution Thursday allowing Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas to deliver a remote address at next week's assembly session, following Washington's refusal to grant him an entry visa.

Under the resolution, Abbas will be permitted to submit a pre-recorded statement to be broadcast during the General Assembly's general debate. The United States, Paraguay, and Israel cast the only votes against the measure.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon responded to the vote with pointed criticism. "As long as Abu Mazen continues his policy of payments to terrorists and their families, he cannot expect the international community to ignore it," Danon said. "Instead of coming to New York, he will send videos. The responsibility for changing this policy lies in his hands."

The development follows Wednesday's report that the United States has denied entry visas to Abbas and members of his delegation, marking the second consecutive year Washington has blocked the PA chairman from attending the assembly in person. The State Department simultaneously announced an extension of visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority and PLO officials.

The move continues a policy implemented ahead of last year's UN General Assembly, when Abbas was similarly prevented from traveling to the New York gathering. State Department officials justified the step by citing Palestinian activity in international forums, with Washington accusing the PA and PLO of attempting to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through appeals to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, as well as pursuing unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood. The American administration has also accused the Palestinian bodies of supporting terrorism.