"US Blocks Palestinian Leader from UN Speech, But He Finds a Way In"

UN Allows Palestinian President to Address Leaders via Video Link Amid US Snub In a significant move, the United Nations General Assembly voted on Thursday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address world leaders via video link next week in New York, following US President Donald Trump's refusal to grant him a visa. The resolution passed with 145 votes in favor and five against, while six countries abstained. According to sources, Trump had refused to grant visas for the Palestinian delegation to attend the conference and UN General Assembly, citing unspecified reasons. However, the move was seen as an attempt by the US to exert pressure on the Palestinian leadership. The decision to allow Abbas to address leaders via video link was made after a resolution was put forward by several countries, including Egypt and Indonesia. The vote comes at a time when several Western states, including the UK, are set to formally recognize Palestine at an upcoming conference, marking a significant shift in international relations. This development has been seen as a major blow to US efforts to isolate the Palestinian leadership. According to UN sources, Abbas was scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25, but his participation had been put in doubt due to Trump's refusal to grant him a visa. The decision to allow him to participate via video link was made after intense lobbying by several countries, including Egypt and Indonesia. The move has been welcomed by Palestinian officials, who see it as a major victory for their cause. "This is a significant moment for the Palestinian people," said a senior Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It shows that despite US efforts to isolate us, we are not alone in our struggle for statehood and self-determination." The decision also highlights the growing rift between the US and other Western countries over their stance on Palestine. The UK, France, and several other European countries have announced plans to formally recognize Palestine at an upcoming conference, a move that has been seen as a major blow to US efforts to isolate the Palestinian leadership. In response to the vote, a US State Department spokesperson said: "We are disappointed by the decision of the UN General Assembly to allow President Abbas to address world leaders via video link. We believe this decision undermines the integrity and credibility of the UN." The move is seen as a major setback for Trump's efforts to isolate the Palestinian leadership and undermine their bid for statehood. However, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the ongoing peace process between Israel and Palestine. As the world waits with bated breath for the outcome of the upcoming conference, one thing is clear: the Palestinian people have been given a major boost in their struggle for statehood and self-determination. The question now is what next steps will be taken by the international community to support their cause. In related news, the UN General Assembly is set to hold a special session on October 1 to discuss the situation in Palestine and the ongoing peace process between Israel and Palestine. The session is expected to attract high-level representation from several countries, including the US, UK, France, and several other European nations. The vote to allow Abbas to address leaders via video link has been hailed as a major victory by Palestinian officials and their supporters around the world. As one senior Palestinian official put it: "This is a significant moment for the Palestinian people. It shows that despite US efforts to isolate us, we are not alone in our struggle for statehood and self-determination." This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.