Messages circulating on WhatsApp groups and social media pages claimed that the UN General Assembly had voted by majority to move its next session from New York to Geneva, following the United States’ decision to deny entry to President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership.

The Palestinian Observatory Tahaqaq fact-checked the claim by reviewing open sources, official and media reports, and by contacting the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General and the Palestinian Assistant Foreign Minister for UN Affairs. The findings confirm that the claim is false.

The fact-check showed that the story was previously published by unofficial outlets such as the International Middle East Media Center and Skwawkbox, without any UN documentation. As of September 8, 2025, Tahaqaq found no official announcement or UN document indicating that the General Assembly had voted to relocate its next session from New York to Geneva. No major news agencies or official UN platforms reported such a decision

Meanwhile, international outlets such as Reuters and The Washington Post covered the U.S. refusal or withdrawal of entry visas for President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian officials, which sparked international reactions. A UN spokesperson confirmed that the organization would reach out to the U.S. State Department to request clarifications on the matter.

UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric categorically denied the claims to Tahaqaq, stating: “No vote has taken place, and no decision has been made to move any General Assembly events from New York.”

Similarly, Tahaqaq contacted Omar Awadallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for UN Affairs, who also refuted the circulating claim, clarifying that no vote had been held on such a proposal, nor was any formal discussion presented—though the idea may have been informally raised. He added that legal and diplomatic measures are currently under discussion following the U.S. ban on the Palestinian delegation’s entry to New York.

It is worth noting a documented precedent from 1988, when the U.S. refused to grant a visa to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. In response, the UN General Assembly moved its session to Geneva, enabling him to deliver his speech. At the time, the resolution was passed by a vote of 154 in favor, with only the United States and Israel opposed.