Speaking remotely to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas forcefully condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them as ‘war crimes.’ He also staunchly rejected any suggestion that Palestinians would abandon their homeland.
Addressing the assembly via video link from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank — a necessity after the U.S. denied him and his delegation visas — Mr. Abbas also spoke out against the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. He explicitly stated that ‘These actions don’t represent the Palestinian people.’
Mr. Abbas affirmed that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to assume responsibility for Gaza post-conflict, stressing that Hamas would not be involved in the enclave’s governance. Furthermore, he urged Hamas to disarm, declaring, ‘We reiterate that we do not want an armed state.’
The Palestinian Authority, led by Mr. Abbas, currently governs parts of the West Bank and envisions itself as the legitimate administration for a future Palestinian state. He addressed an audience largely receptive to his message. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has been a central theme in speeches by world leaders at this year’s General Assembly, with the issue of Palestinian statehood receiving significant attention at a recent conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
Numerous world leaders have, in their addresses, acknowledged Palestinian statehood and criticized Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. This campaign has resulted in 65,000 deaths and the displacement of over a million people, prompting calls for an immediate end to Palestinian suffering. Mr. Abbas himself characterized Israel’s actions in the territory as ‘genocide.’
Abbas expressed gratitude to nations that recently recognized Palestinian statehood. He highlighted that the Palestinian Authority had recognized Israel’s ‘right to exist’ as far back as 1988 and reiterated this in 1993. He also took aim at Israeli leaders advocating for territorial expansion, affirming that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable component of a Palestinian state.
In response to the Palestinian statehood recognitions, Israeli officials have hinted at potentially annexing portions of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. However, reports from individuals familiar with the situation indicate that President Trump recently assured leaders of Arab and Muslim-majority nations that he would oppose any Israeli annexation of West Bank territory.
Mr. Abbas declared that despite immense suffering, Palestinians would endure in Gaza and ultimately rebuild their land. ‘It will not break our will to survive,’ he asserted. ‘Palestine is ours.’
In a sharp rebuttal, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed Abbas’s address as mere rhetoric designed to placate Western nations. Writing on X, Mr. Saar stated, in part, that ‘Israel cannot be deceived again.’ The Israeli Prime Minister’s office echoed this sentiment on social media, asserting that ‘The shameful capitulation of some leaders to Palestinian terror does not obligate Israel in any way. There will be no Palestinian state.’
It is notable that Mr. Abbas has remained president of the Palestinian Authority since 2005, despite being elected for a four-year term. Through a pattern of postponed elections, he has centralized power, marginalized opponents, and overseen crackdowns on dissent by security forces. Current opinion polls indicate that a majority of Palestinians wish for his resignation.
Nevertheless, the week marked significant movement toward the long-sought goal of Palestinian statehood. Ten Western nations, including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium, officially recognized Palestine, adding to the approximately 150 countries that had already taken this step.
Both Israel and the United States expressed strong opposition to these recognitions, arguing they serve as a reward for Hamas. Hamas initiated the Gaza war with an attack on southern Israel in 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Meanwhile, Gazan officials report that over 64,000 people have died in the enclave during Israeli military operations, a count that includes both combatants and civilians.