A video call to the world: Abbas's UN options narrow again

The European Union said Saturday it regretted Washington's decision to deny visas, for the second year running, to Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly, urging a rethink.

The US State Department said this week it was refusing to grant visas to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation ahead of next week's meeting in New York. 

"We regret the decision to extend the denial of entry visas for members of the Palestinian delegation for a second year in a row," said EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni, urging Washington to reconsider "in light of its obligations as host state."

The Trump administration also denied visas last year, forcing Abbas to address the Assembly by video. The body voted 152-3 on Thursday to let him appear virtually again this year. Only members of the Palestinian mission to the UN will be allowed to attend in person.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres likewise voiced regret Friday, saying he was concerned about the impact on "the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations."

Washington has cited the Palestinian Authority's past payments to families of imprisoned or slain Palestinians, a system the PA recently reformed to a needs-based model, as well as Palestinian efforts to "internationalize" the conflict through the ICC and ICJ, and accusations of glorifying terrorism in public statements and textbooks.