Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday via video link, after the Trump administration blocked visas for him and his team. This came on the third day of the 80th UNGA session in New York.
Abbas wasted no time distancing himself from Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. “Despite everything our people have endured, we reject what Hamas did on October 7,” he said. He stressed that killing civilians and taking hostages doesn’t speak for Palestinians or their fight for freedom and independence.
He made it clear that Gaza is a key piece of the Palestinian puzzle. “We’ve always said, and we’ll keep saying, Gaza is part of the Palestinian state,” Abbas declared. “We’re ready to take full charge of governance and security there.”
Abbas firmly ruled out any future role for Hamas in government. He called on armed groups like Hamas to disarm and hand over weapons to the Palestinian National Authority. “Hamas and other factions must join in building one state, one law, and one security force,” he explained. “We don’t want an armed state. Our wounds run deep, and our losses are huge.”
Turning to the bigger picture, Abbas highlighted the ongoing pain for Palestinians. “Seven million Palestinians still face the tragedies of the Nakba and displacement since 1948,” he noted. People in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza deal with Israeli occupation daily—through killings, arrests, settlements, and stolen land and resources.
He called out the world’s failure to act. “The UN has passed over a thousand resolutions on this, but none have been carried out,” Abbas said. “Countless international efforts and initiatives haven’t ended this nightmare under occupation.”
Abbas reminded everyone that Palestinians stuck to the Oslo Accords. “We rebuilt our institutions, changed our national charter, rejected violence and terrorism, and embraced peace,” he said. “We worked hard to create a modern Palestinian state living peacefully next to Israel. But Israel ignored the agreements and actively undermined them.”
He thanked global supporters warmly. “I appreciate all the people and groups worldwide who protested for Palestinian rights to freedom, independence, and an end to war, destruction, and starvation,” Abbas stated. He added a key point: “We reject mixing support for our cause with anti-Semitism. We stand against it based on our values, especially after the recent International Conference for Peace.”
Abbas laid out urgent steps forward. He demanded an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and full, unrestricted humanitarian aid through the UN, including UNRWA. He wants all hostages and prisoners released on both sides, Israeli forces out of Gaza, and a stop to settlements, annexation, and settler violence.
Under Arab and international oversight, the Palestinian Authority should handle Gaza’s administration to protect civilians and link it to the West Bank. Abbas insisted Gaza residents stay on their land—no forced displacement—and called for a major recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza and the West Bank.
He also pressed Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax funds and end the economic blockade. Abbas pledged international help for government reforms and promised presidential and parliamentary elections within a year after the war ends. A committee is already working on a temporary constitution.
Looking ahead, Abbas showed openness to partnerships. “Palestine is ready to team up with the Trump administration, Saudi Arabia, France, the UN, and everyone else to roll out the peace plan from the September 22 conference,” he said. “This could lead to real peace and cooperation in the region.”
In his emotional close, Abbas rallied Palestinians everywhere. “No matter how much we bleed or how long this lasts, it won’t crush our will to live and thrive,” he vowed. “Freedom’s dawn will come. Our flag will rise high as a sign of dignity and strength, free from occupation. Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is our heart’s jewel and eternal capital. We won’t leave our homeland or lands. Like olive trees, we’ll stay rooted; like rocks, we’ll stand firm. We’ll rise from the rubble, rebuild, and spread hope, truth, and justice from our holy land. We’ll build bridges of peace for our region and the world.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
