Speaking remotely to the U.N. General Assembly from Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a scathing critique of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, labeling them ‘war crimes.’ He emphatically declared that Palestinians would never abandon their homeland. Abbas, denied U.S. visas for himself and his delegation, clarified his stance on the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, asserting that ‘These actions do not represent the Palestinian people.’ He expressed the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to assume control of Gaza post-conflict, stressing that Hamas would be excluded from its future governance. Abbas further urged Hamas to disarm, stating, ‘We reiterate that we do not want an armed state.’
Addressing an overwhelmingly sympathetic audience, Abbas — whose authority governs parts of the West Bank and aspires to lead a future Palestinian state — highlighted the global focus on the Gaza conflict at this year’s General Assembly. A recent conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia also put Palestinian statehood at the forefront of international discussions. Across the General Assembly, numerous world leaders have voiced support for Palestinian statehood, heavily criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in 65,000 deaths and over a million displaced, and demanded an end to Palestinian suffering. Abbas himself characterized Israel’s conduct as ‘genocide.’
President Abbas extended gratitude to nations that recently recognized Palestinian statehood, reminding the assembly that the Palestinian Authority had acknowledged Israel’s right to exist in both 1988 and 1993. He also challenged Israeli leaders’ calls for territorial expansion, affirming Gaza Strip as an essential component of an independent Palestine. Despite threats from Israeli officials to annex parts of the West Bank in response to statehood recognition, President Trump reportedly reassured Arab and Muslim-majority leaders this week that he would prevent any such Israeli annexation of West Bank territory.
Abbas declared that Palestinians would endure, rebuild Gaza, and remain on their land, regardless of the hardships. ‘It will not break our will to survive,’ he stated, proclaiming, ‘Palestine is ours.’ In immediate response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed Abbas’s speech as mere rhetoric designed to placate Western nations, stating on X that ‘Israel cannot be deceived again.’ The Israeli Prime Minister’s office echoed this sentiment, posting that ‘The shameful capitulation of some leaders to Palestinian terror does not obligate Israel in any way. There will be no Palestinian state.’
Having held the presidency of the Palestinian Authority since 2005 despite an initial four-year term, Mr. Abbas has faced criticism for consolidating power, marginalizing opponents, and suppressing dissent by repeatedly delaying elections. Public opinion polls indicate a widespread desire among Palestinians for his resignation. Nevertheless, the week marked significant headway for Palestinian statehood, with ten Western nations, including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium, officially recognizing Palestine. This adds to approximately 150 countries that had already taken this step. Both Israel and the United States opposed these recognitions, arguing they emboldened Hamas, the group responsible for the 2023 attack on southern Israel that resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 250 abductions. Meanwhile, Gazan officials report over 64,000 casualties in the enclave from Israeli military operations, a figure that includes both combatants and civilians.