During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received enthusiastic applause from world leaders as he criticized what he termed Israeli “genocide” in Gaza. He urged President Donald Trump to step in, asserting that his party was prepared to take charge of the governance and security in the Gaza Strip. Following recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by various European nations, Abbas called for “full membership of the United Nations.”
“Israel has acknowledged our right to exist back in 1988 and 1993,” Abbas stated during a virtual address. “We continue to recognize this right.” His remarks came despite the US State Department denying him a visa to travel to New York, citing concerns over potential terrorism aid.
The UK, Canada, and Australia have recognized Palestine, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has countered that this will not materialize.
Abbas expressed that his party is “ready to take full responsibility for governance and security” in Gaza. While the Palestinian Authority (PA) currently oversees parts of the West Bank due to the Oslo agreement, its authority is restricted. Officially, it claims Gaza as Palestinian territory but has not governed it since 2007; Hamas has held control there.
He added that under PA leadership, “Hamas will not be able to maintain control.” Abbas insisted that Hamas must surrender its weapons to the PA, emphasizing that he doesn’t wish to run an “armed state.” He described a vision for modern governance based on civilian laws and human rights, steering clear of violence and extremism, and focusing on development and education.
At the same time, he declared that Jerusalem is the “eternal capital” for Palestinians. “The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the Palestinian flag will wave high for all to see,” he asserted, emphasizing Palestine’s claim to its lands and resolutely stating, “We will not abandon our homeland.”
These comments were made in the wake of Trump revealing a 21-point peace initiative aimed at bringing resolution to the situation in Gaza. In a separate development, the UN General Assembly endorsed a plan for a two-state solution to end the protracted conflict.
Abbas indicated a willingness to work with Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the UN on peace efforts, while condemning Netanyahu’s vision of “Greater Israel.” He criticized Netanyahu’s plans, expressing concern over escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
His remarks came as Israel intensified its military actions in Gaza, suggesting that annexing the West Bank remains a viable option. Abbas condemned settler violence in the West Bank, noting that these incidents have surged coinciding with Israeli security operations. He spoke out against the systematic “genocide, destruction, starvation, evacuation,” while the PA distanced itself from Hamas’s actions during an earlier conflict.
Abbas asserted that the PA does not condone violence and insists that such acts do not represent the Palestinian people’s quest for freedom. He reflected on the ineffectiveness of the UN, which has passed countless resolutions condemning Israel—none of which have been acted upon. “The Palestinians live under the yoke of occupation,” he lamented, citing a long history of international initiatives that failed to bring an end to their plight.
