On Sept. 17 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on participation
arrangements for the State of Palestine during the 81st UNGA session, permitting
President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian representatives to participate via
videoconference or pre-recorded statements after the United States refused to
grant visas to Abbas and some officials. The draft passed 152-3-4; China voted
in favor. The resolution expressed regret at the US decision to deny or revoke
Palestinian representatives’ visas, urged their immediate reversal, and
reaffirmed that State of Palestine representatives should be entitled to attend
relevant meetings in person at UN headquarters in New York.
