The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, addressed the United Nations General Assembly via video on Thursday, stating that his people “reject” the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Abbas pledged that the militant group would have no role in governing Gaza after the war ends and must hand over its weapons. This statement came after the United States revoked his visa.
Abbas described the situation in Gaza as a “war of genocide, destruction, starvation, and displacement” perpetrated by Israel. He emphasized that the Palestinian authorities reject the actions of Hamas, which do not represent the Palestinian people. Abbas outlined his vision for the future governance of the territories, stating that the Palestinian Authority is “ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security” once the war is over.
The Palestinian president also called for Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian authorities, emphasizing that there can be no justice if Palestine is not freed. Abbas expressed gratitude to world leaders who have supported the Palestinians during the Gaza war, citing recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by France, the UK, and Canada as a source of hope for peace. He urged the remaining countries to follow suit, recognizing that symbolic recognition is not enough to address the current situation.
As Abbas concluded his speech, attention turned to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to address the UN assembly on Friday. Netanyahu’s speech is expected to outline Israel’s case for continuing its two-year war in Gaza. The international community is watching closely, awaiting clarity on the next steps in the conflict.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for two years, resulting in significant humanitarian suffering and damage to infrastructure. The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution, with many countries recognizing the need for a two-state solution. The recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by several countries has been seen as a step towards this goal, but much work remains to be done to achieve a lasting peace.
