Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly by pre-recorded video on Thursday after the United States denied visas to members of the Palestinian delegation.

The UN’s official meeting schedule confirms that the State of Palestine addressed the General Assembly on 24 September during the 81st session’s general debate.

The UN General Assembly had approved special arrangements a week earlier allowing Palestine to participate virtually because its senior delegation could not travel to New York.

UN backs virtual participation

On 17 September, the General Assembly adopted a resolution allowing the State of Palestine to submit a pre-recorded statement from its president.

The resolution passed with 152 votes in favour, three against and four abstentions. The United States, Israel and Paraguay voted against it.

According to the UN, the measure followed a US decision to deny or revoke visas for representatives of the State of Palestine ahead of the 81st General Assembly session.

Palestinian UN representative Riyad Mansour argued that the decision violated the United States’ obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement. The US disputed that interpretation during the General Assembly debate.

Abbas speaks from Ramallah

Abbas delivered his remarks from Ramallah instead of appearing in New York.

UN reporting on his address says he called on the international community to protect Palestinians, end the occupation and pursue a two-state solution based on international law.

He also said Palestinians would remain on their land and rejected displacement, according to the UN’s account of the speech.

Visa dispute enters second year

The latest dispute follows a similar situation in 2025.

Last year, the General Assembly also approved virtual participation for the Palestinian delegation after the United States denied visas ahead of the 80th session.

The recurring dispute has again drawn attention to Washington’s responsibilities as host country for the United Nations and delegations' rights to attend meetings at UN headquarters.