Abbas Warns of 'Another Nakba' as UN Speech Highlights Existential Threat
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addresses the UN General Assembly via video after the US denies visas, warning of a new catastrophe.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addresses the UN General Assembly via video after the US denies visas, warning of a new catastrophe.
KEY TAKEAWAYS- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned the United Nations General Assembly that Israel's policies now threaten the 'very life and existence' of Palestinians, according to a prerecorded address broadcast on Thursday.
- In his remarks, Abbas urged the international community to implement the two-state solution on the basis of international law to guarantee security.
- Abbas's comments came as Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail a ceasefire and a process by the US-backed Board of Peace to end the war in Gaza.
- [aljazeera.
UN Speech Highlights Existential Threat to Palestinians
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned the United Nations General Assembly that Israel's policies now threaten the 'very life and existence' of Palestinians, according to a prerecorded address broadcast on Thursday. The speech was delivered from Ramallah after the United States denied visas to a Palestinian delegation for the second consecutive year, forcing the leader to speak virtually.
Abbas described the current situation as one of the 'most dangerous periods' in Palestinian history. He cited ongoing military operations, citing 'killing, destruction, starvation, attempts at displacement' and a 'genocidal war' that has created an 'unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza.
The Palestinian leader accused Israeli forces of erasing Palestinian lives by destroying neighborhoods, cities, refugee camps, and essential institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, mosques, and churches.
Calls for Two-State Solution and Reunification
In his remarks, Abbas urged the international community to implement the two-state solution on the basis of international law to guarantee security. He stated that 'saving the solution begins with preserving the land on which the Palestinian state is to be established' and protecting the people who live on it.
The Palestinian Authority president argued that any transitional period must lead to the reunification of the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank under one Palestinian state with a single legitimate armed force. He contended that Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank needed to be governed by 'one state, one government, one law and one legitimate entity authorised to bear arms'.
Abbas also announced that the Palestinian Authority plans to hold legislative elections on November 28, marking the first such vote in 20 years, despite doubts about whether the vote will proceed.
Hamas Ready to Implement Gaza Roadmap
Abbas's comments came as Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail a ceasefire and a process by the US-backed Board of Peace to end the war in Gaza. Hamas agreed to a 15-point roadmap that included the disarmament of factions and the transfer of Gaza's administration to a Palestinian national committee.
A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, said the group was 'fully ready to implement the roadmap' and had taken the necessary measures to comply with the deal. However, Qassem added that Israel was refusing to meet its commitments while escalating attacks on Palestinians.
With both processes to end the conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank facing uncertainty, the two-state solution appears to be slipping further away, according to reports.
Sources and context
aljazeera.com — Israel’s policies threaten ‘very existence’ of Palestinians, Abbas tells UN
france24.com — Israeli policies threaten 'life and existence' of Palestinians, Abbas tells UN
