Speaking via video link after his U.S. visa was revoked, the Palestinian President addressed global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He stated that his people ‘reject’ the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and firmly declared that the militant group would hold no governing role in Gaza once the war concludes, demanding they surrender their weapons.
Mahmoud Abbas conveyed to the UN General Assembly that Palestinians in Gaza have been enduring ‘a war of genocide, destruction, starvation, and displacement’ at the hands of Israel. His address took place just ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled in-person speech in New York the following day.
Palestinian President on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority
While detailing the horrific death and destruction inflicted upon Gaza, Mr. Abbas maintained that the Palestinian authorities ‘reject’ Hamas’s actions of October 7, emphasizing that these actions do not represent the Palestinian people.
He further elaborated on his vision for the future governance of the territories after the war. He affirmed that the Palestinian Authority is ‘ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security,’ adding that ‘Hamas will have no role to play in governance’ and must hand over its weapons to the Palestinian authorities.
‘There can be no justice if Palestine is not freed,’ Mr. Abbas declared.
Mahmoud Abbas expressed his willingness to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the United Nations to implement a Gaza peace plan. This plan was adopted at a conference on September 22 and, according to Abbas, could pave the way for a just peace and broader regional cooperation.