Resolution allows Palestine remote access after the host country denies entry visas
GA/12708
19 September 2025
The General Assembly, on the eve of its most prominent week, voted decisively to allow Palestine’s representatives to participate virtually in its eightieth session, starting from 23rd September 2025, following the denial of their entry visas by the host country. The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 5 against, with 6 abstentions, reflecting a broad consensus within the 193-member body.
By the terms of the resolution, the Assembly recalled the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement and, while underscoring that the decision does not set a precedent for future general debates or mandated high-level meetings, agreed that the State of Palestine may deliver a pre-recorded statement by its President in the General Assembly Hall during the general debate. The text also provides for participation through videoconference or pre-recorded statements at high-level meetings, including the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
Explaining its opposition, the representative of the United States said that the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization must be held accountable for commitments made under the Oslo Accords. He reiterated concern over policies that, in his country’s view, undermine prospects for peace, including what he described as payments that incentivize violence. He urged the Palestinian leadership to reject terrorism unequivocally, end efforts to internationalize the conflict outside of negotiations, and return to a path of compromise and coexistence with Israel, while noting his country’s openness to reengagement under those conditions.
Several delegates expressed regret at the circumstances that necessitated the resolution, recalling the host country’s obligations under the Headquarters Agreement. The representative of the Russian Federation emphasized that denying a Head of State entry was unprecedented and inconsistent with the Agreement’s requirement to facilitate prompt and unhindered access for all official representatives. He clarified that his delegation’s vote should not be interpreted as support for remote modalities of participation, which, in his view, cannot substitute for in-person engagement.
Iran’s delegate emphasized that the exceptional measures adopted today did not exempt the host country (USA) from its legal obligations to issue visas. China’s representative underscored Palestine’s right to full and effective participation in the United Nations and international conferences, and described the visa denial as a violation of international obligations and an obstacle to peace efforts.
Expressing appreciation for the support of 145 Member States, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine affirmed the importance of enabling its leadership to take part in the General Assembly’s work. He described the host country’s decision as an abuse of authority and emphasized Palestine’s right to contribute peacefully and diplomatically to the shared work of the international community.
Text of the original resolution
Eightieth Session,
3rd Meeting (AM)
GA/12708
19 September 2025
Eightieth session
Agenda item 7
Organization of work, adoption of the agenda and allocation of items Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Egypt, Kuwait, Mauritania, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) and State of Palestine:* revised draft resolution
Participation by the State of Palestine during the eightieth session
The General Assembly,
UN Adopts New York Declaration on Israel-Palestine Two-State
Expressing concern regarding situations in which representatives referred to in section 11 of the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations 1 are prevented from participating in the meetings of the General Assembly,
Regretting, in this regard, the decision of the United States of America to deny
visas to and revoke visas from representatives of the State of Palestine ahead of the
eightieth session of the General Assembly, thus preventing them from participating in
the meetings of the United Nations, and seeking the immediate reversal of this
decision,
Taking note of the meeting of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country
of 12 September 2025, and the statements made therein, including the position of the
United Nations Legal Counsel,
Recalling its relevant resolutions regarding the question of Palestine,
Recalling also the Headquarters Agreement,
1. Decides, without setting a precedent for future general debates and
mandated high-level meetings and while stressing that the representatives of the State
of Palestine should be able to participate in person in the relevant meetings at the
United Nations in New York, that:
(a) The State of Palestine may submit a pre-recorded statement of its President, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall during the general debate of the Assembly at its eightieth session after introduction by its representative who is physically present in the Assembly Hall;
(b) The State of Palestine may deliver statements by means of videoconference or submit a pre-recorded statement at the meetings of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution;
(c) The State of Palestine may submit a pre-recorded statement of its President or other high-level representative at any high-level meeting or United Nations conference and at international conferences and meetings convened under the auspices of the General Assembly or, as appropriate, under the auspices of other organs of the United Nations, if representatives of the State of Palestine are prevented from participating in the meetings of the United Nations;
2. Also decides that, in addition to the records of the general debate of the General Assembly at its eightieth session, the President of the General Assembly will circulate as a document of the Assembly the statement referred to in paragraph 1 (a) above, delivered by means of a pre-recorded statement during the general debate and submitted to the President no later than the day on which the pre -recorded statement is played in the Assembly Hall;
3. Further decides that these procedures shall apply only during the eightieth session.
* Any changes to the list of sponsors will be reflected in the official record of the meeting.
1 See resolution 169 (II).
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