Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a dramatic diplomatic twist ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was denied a visa by the United States, forcing him to deliver his address to world leaders via video link. The move has drawn international attention and criticism, coming at a time when the future of Palestine and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza are set to dominate the Assembly’s agenda.
The U.S. decision to deny entry visas to senior officials of the Palestinian Authority including Abbas, marks a significant escalation in Washington’s hardline stance under the Trump administration. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed the action, citing what it called the Palestinian leadership’s failure to meet obligations and its role in undermining peace efforts. Senator Marco Rubio, a prominent advocate of this policy, spearheaded the visa cancellations.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep astonishment” at the decision, which not only prevented direct Palestinian participation in the General Assembly but also strained already fragile relations between the Palestinian leadership and the U.S. administration.
Despite Washington’s opposition, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of allowing President Abbas to speak via video. The resolution passed with 145 countries in support, five against, and six abstentions, a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and a rebuke to the American veto.
As more than 140 heads of state and government gather in New York for the annual UN summit, discussions are expected to center on the deepening crisis in Gaza, the status of Palestinian statehood, and the broader instability in the Middle East. The devastation in Gaza under siege for two years following a prolonged Israeli offensive is considered one of the most urgent humanitarian crises on the global stage.
In this context, Saudi Arabia and France are set to co-host a series of high-level meetings aimed at reviving the two-state solution, which envisions peaceful coexistence between a sovereign Israel and a sovereign Palestine. This diplomatic push comes just days after the General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting Palestinian statehood, though notably excluding the involvement of Hamas, laying the groundwork for further recognitions. France is reportedly among the key nations preparing to formally recognize the State of Palestine.
International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan described these developments as “symbolic but potentially consequential,” suggesting that real pressure could mount on Israel if these recognitions are followed by coordinated diplomatic action. However, he warned of a possible backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has unequivocally stated that there will be no Palestinian state under his leadership.
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the Assembly in person, where he is expected to push back firmly against mounting calls for Palestinian recognition and criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S., Israel’s staunchest ally, remains opposed to recognizing Palestine as a state and has reiterated its stance through both rhetoric and actions such as the visa denial to Abbas.
All eyes will also be on U.S. President Donald Trump, who has returned to the international stage with sweeping executive orders, including massive cuts to foreign aid. These measures have significantly undermined the capacity of UN agencies at a time of escalating global humanitarian needs.
In this politically charged atmosphere, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent action on a host of crises including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and climate change. “People are demanding answers and actions that match the gravity of the challenges we face,” Guterres said. “This is a moment for leadership, not indifference.”
The General Assembly is also being held against the backdrop of the UN’s quiet commemoration of its 80th anniversary, a milestone overshadowed by growing concerns over the erosion of multilateralism. Federico Borello of Human Rights Watch warned that the multilateral system is under “existential threat,” especially as major powers violate international humanitarian law or abet such violations, as is alleged in Gaza and Ukraine.
The week’s summit will feature a wide array of world leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Syria’s transitional President Ahmad Al-Shara. The latter’s appearance is particularly significant, coming nearly a year after the fall of the Assad regime. Al-Shara is expected to use the platform to seek international support for post-war reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Another critical issue on the agenda is Iran’s nuclear program. The possibility of reinstating international sanctions looms large, with Germany, France, and the UK having already triggered the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran had submitted a new proposal to the European trio and the EU, describing it as “innovative, fair, and balanced,” aimed at addressing mutual concerns.
In parallel, climate change will take center stage on Wednesday when Guterres and President Lula co-chair a climate summit. Some nations are expected to unveil new commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the upcoming COP climate conference in Brazil.
As the global community grapples with overlapping crises and diplomatic tensions, the UN General Assembly this year is shaping up to be a turning point, not only for the future of Palestine but for the credibility of international cooperation itself.
