The United Nations General Assembly adopted by 152 votes to 3 a resolution rejecting the measures taken by the United States to prevent Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation from attending the meeting. The resolution allows Abbas to address the 81st session next week by video.
In a written statement after the vote, Fattouh, president of the Palestinian Central Council, said the resolution showed that attempts to isolate Palestine internationally and restrict its presence at the United Nations had been rejected.
Fattouh called on the US administration to reverse its decision and allow Abbas and the Palestinian delegation to attend the General Assembly’s annual session. He said attempts to exert pressure on and exclude Palestine could not halt its presence in the international arena.
Fattouh said the Palestinian people would continue to defend their national rights, particularly their rights to freedom, independence, self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. He added that occupation, annexation, settlement activity, forced displacement and racism could not form the basis for peace.
Fattouh said the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights could not be replaced by these measures and that this view was gaining strength. He argued that the international community no longer accepted double standards or the use of political influence to shield the occupation from accountability.
Fattouh said the US administration’s decision contradicted the UN Charter and international obligations, adding that Palestine would continue to defend its national rights despite attempts to target its presence in the international arena.
