Abbas Addresses UN General Assembly Regarding Palestinian Issues

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) via video link on Thursday, as he and his team could not travel due to visa issues linked to U.S. national security concerns.

Abbas began his address by stating that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are experiencing “a war of genocide, destruction, hunger, and refuge caused by Israeli occupation forces.”

He claimed, rather emphatically, that Israel has “murdered or injured over 220,000 Palestinians,” highlighting that many of these casualties are unarmed children, women, and the elderly. He accused Israel of driving tens of thousands away and obstructing food and medical supplies, which has led to hunger affecting two million Palestinians.

“They’ve imposed sieges on everyone, destroying over 80% of their homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and infrastructure,” Abbas added, continuing to express his distress on these issues.

Abbas described Israel’s actions as not merely assaults but as “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He also turned his attention to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which he referred to as the capital of a prospective Palestinian state, accusing Israeli governments of continuing to expand settlements illegally.

While the West Bank is often considered under Abbas’s control and that of the Palestinian Authority (PA), he objected fiercely to Israeli plans that would divide the territory governed by the PA. He labeled these developments as blatant violations of international law that threaten the two-state solution.

Moreover, he stressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans related to what he referred to as “Greater Israel.” During an interview, Netanyahu shared his connection to a vision of this concept, which includes all territories obtained after the 1967 Six-Day War.

This discussion ignited much debate concerning Netanyahu’s intentions, especially regarding the treatment of Palestinians. Several speakers at the UNGA echoed Abbas’s concerns regarding this vision.

As he discussed the recent Gaza conflict, Abbas distanced himself from Hamas’s actions on October 7, emphasizing that these do not reflect the Palestinian people’s true struggle for freedom. He insisted, “We are ready to take full responsibility for governance and security there.”

Abbas urged Hamas and other groups to disarm and work with the PA, underscoring his desire for a unified Palestinian state without armed conflicts. He has been vocal about the long-standing suffering of Palestinians dating back to the 1940s, claiming that more than 1,000 UN resolutions have been ignored regarding Israel.

He expressed gratitude to European leaders for recognizing “Palestinian statehood,” viewing it as a step toward ending occupation for both Palestinians and Israelis. However, he left it unclear what this “Palestinian state” entails or who truly represents it.

Abbas acknowledged global demonstrations in support of Palestine but chose not to address any accompanying violence or anti-Semitism among those protests. He asserted that solidarity with the Palestinian cause should not be conflated with anti-Semitism, which he rejects based on his principles.

He reiterated his request for full UN membership for “Palestine,” arguing that the PA meets the necessary criteria. Notably, he has not faced elections since 2005, which raises eyebrows about his claims to represent the Palestinian people.

In his addresses to the UN, Abbas called for an immediate halt to Israeli operations, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the facilitation of goods to Gaza, urging Israel to stop using hunger as a weapon. He also called for the release of hostages on both sides and an end to settler violence.

Abbas’s push for authority over Gaza could be challenging, especially with Hamas’s influence. He argued that with sufficient support from the international community, his forces could establish control.

He expressed hopes for access to substantial funds for reconstruction efforts and highlighted the need for the release of Palestinian taxes held by Israel, emphasizing that this has been an ongoing issue since the Hamas attack.

Abbas finished his speech by urging international action on the Palestinian cause, declaring, “Palestine belongs to us. Jerusalem is our heart’s jewel and our eternal capital. We will not abandon our homeland.”