UN backs Abbas video address after US visa refusal — Premium Times Nigeria
The UN General Assembly supported the possibility of a video address by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas after the United States did not issue him a visa to attend the UN session. This is stated in an opinion column published by Premium Times Nigeria.
General Assembly vote
Author Owei Lakemfa writes that 152 countries voted for the resolution on a video address by the Palestinian leader. According to his data, the United States, Israel and Paraguay supported the US position, while Panama, Honduras, Peru and Colombia abstained.
According to Lakemfa's account, the US side linked the visa refusal to the actions of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization. US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Tammy Bruce said that the Palestinian Authority must stop funding what the United States calls terrorism and unequivocally renounce terrorism.
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The columnist notes that in his address, Abbas called Israel's military actions against Palestinians genocide and called for an end to the attacks and the military occupation of Palestine. According to his account, the Palestinian leader also advocated a settlement under which Israelis and Palestinians would live in their own states with guarantees of security and peace.
Netanyahu's speech and Iran
Lakemfa also claims that delegations from 77 countries left the hall during the speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The column recalls that on November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as part of an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The article also cites statements by US President Donald Trump regarding a possible choice between an agreement with Iran and the destruction of the Islamic Republic. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the author, said that his country had been a victim of terrorism and sought to live independently. Lakemfa also reported that the United States and Iran held a three-hour meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
