UN Urges US Not to Block Palestinian Access to General Assembly

August 22, 2026 | 04:13 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations said Friday it had not received any official notification from the United States regarding reports that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could again be barred from attending this year’s UN General Assembly in New York.

According to Anadolu, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that visa applications for heads of state and senior officials from UN member states are handled by the United States as the host country, rather than by the UN Secretariat.

“We have not received any official notification from the US,” Dujarric said, adding that the UN was aware of the reports.

Several local media outlets reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump was planning to prevent Abbas from traveling to New York for the General Assembly for a second consecutive year.

Dujarric said the United States should fulfill its obligations under the host country agreement by facilitating the entry of diplomats and government officials traveling to New York for UN business.

“We have seen cases in the past where visas were denied by the host country. Our call and our hope remains that the host country will fulfill its obligations under the host treaty agreement,” he said, as quoted by Anadolu.

The agreement is intended to facilitate travel to New York and the United States for diplomats and government officials conducting business at the United Nations, Dujarric said.

Asked whether restrictions on foreign officials could affect the UN’s independence, Dujarric said the issue had arisen previously, including in disputes involving Russian delegations.

“These are issues that the Secretariat has raised directly with the host country, and we will continue to do so,” he added.

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