Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a powerful and unyielding virtual address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as “war crimes” and emphatically declaring that Palestinians would never abandon their homeland. Speaking from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a necessity due to a U.S. visa denial for him and his delegation, Abbas opened by denouncing the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, clarifying that “These actions don’t represent the Palestinian people.” He expressed the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to assume full responsibility for Gaza post-conflict, stipulating that Hamas would have no governing role and must relinquish its weapons, stating, “We reiterate that we do not want an armed state.” His firm stance against an Israeli takeover of the enclave was met with sustained applause as he vowed, “It will not break our will to survive. Palestine is ours. We will not leave our land. We will not leave our homeland. Our people are rooted like the olive trees.”
Abbas’s address resonated with an audience largely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, especially as the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been a central theme at this year’s General Assembly. Many world leaders, echoing a U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry, have labeled Israel’s conduct in Gaza as “genocide,” a claim Israel denies, stating its operations target Hamas militants. International recognition of Palestinian statehood gained significant momentum this week, with 10 Western nations, including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium, joining approximately 150 others in formal recognition. Abbas expressed gratitude for this support, recalling the Palestinian Authority’s recognition of Israel’s “right to exist” dating back to 1988 and 1993. He also criticized Israeli leaders advocating for territorial expansion, affirming the Gaza Strip as an essential part of a future Palestinian state.
Amidst these diplomatic developments, Israel’s military conducted airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen, following a Houthi drone attack on the Israeli town of Eilat, an act the Houthis stated was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Notably, President Trump had previously assured leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority nations this week that he would not permit Israel to annex territory in the West Bank, a move considered retaliatory by Israeli officials in response to the growing recognition of Palestinian statehood. This assurance, given on the sidelines of the General Assembly, came despite domestic calls from right-wing Israeli politicians, like Itamar Ben-Gvir, for immediate annexation. French President Emmanuel Macron also engaged Trump on the issue, with Trump reportedly agreeing that Israeli settlement expansion was counterproductive and unrelated to Hamas. The potential for unilateral annexation has drawn strong criticism from the Arab world, as Palestinians and much of the international community envision the West Bank as a core component of an independent Palestine. Despite Palestinian officials acknowledging the symbolic power of statehood recognition, they lament the unchanged harsh realities on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, where Israeli policies are often perceived as de facto annexation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, however, has reiterated his firm opposition to a Palestinian state, vowing to prevent the establishment of what he terms a “terrorist state.”
The American plan to end the Gaza conflict, as outlined by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, prioritizes the release of all hostages and a cessation of hostilities. During the October 7, 2023, attack, 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted. While many hostages have been returned, about 20 are believed to still be alive in Gaza. Hamas has conditioned their release on a permanent end to the war, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners—terms Netanyahu has rejected, insisting on Hamas’s disarmament and the exile of its leadership.
The absence of Palestinian leaders at the General Assembly was due to the Trump administration’s denial of visas to Abbas and his delegation, citing national security concerns. This visa standoff highlights a long-standing dispute between the U.S. and U.N. over the 1947 Headquarters Agreement, which stipulates unimpeded access for official business. While the U.S. maintains its right to national security, the U.N. and legal experts argue this violates the agreement. Historically, the U.S. has rarely denied entry to heads of government for the General Assembly, with a notable exception being Yasir Arafat in 1988, though he later attended. Other nations, like Russia, Iran, China, and Venezuela, also face occasional visa restrictions or delays from the U.S.