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Abbas addressed the Assembly’s annual debate via videotape after his delegation, for the second year in a row, was denied visas to travel to the US – an action he called unlawful and a violation of the United States’ obligations as the host country.
He called on the US government to reverse the action and “return to the language of dialogue and mutual respect.”
He said Palestinians in Gaza were subjected to murder, destruction, starvation, attempted forced displacement and a “war of genocide”, while settlement expansion in the West Bank was accelerating.
He added that East Jerusalem is isolated and settler terrorism is increasing under the occupying forces. In addition, crimes of land theft, house demolitions, road blocks and raids continue.
‘Not a separate event’
What is happening in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem is “not an isolated event”, he said, but “part of a sinister colonial plan” to make life harder for Palestinians and encourage people to leave their land by force.
“How long will some countries remain silent on Israel, or supply the weapons they use against our people?” he asked.
Abbas said he welcomed President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan as well as the plan Security Council resolution 2803who supports the plan and asks all parties to implement it, but nothing has yet materialized in the field.
With one year remaining of the transition period which will end in 2027, he called for the second phase to be implemented without further delay, leading to the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under “one State, one government, one law and one legitimate authority over arms”.
He warned against Israel’s E1 Settlement Plan, which he said would separate East Jerusalem from the rest of the Palestinian territories, and called for its implementation. Security Council Resolution 2334 regarding the cessation of settlement activities.
He also called for continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said “there is no alternative for the agency” while the refugee problem remains unresolved, and demanded the release of more than $6 billion in Palestinian funds held by Israel.
‘Honoring our commitments’
A year after the General Assembly passed New York Declarationseeking to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, Abbas said, “we have kept our commitments”, citing reforms of public finances, social protection and school curricula in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Legislative elections will be held on November 28, he said, followed by the renewal of the Palestinian National Council and presidential elections.
“We want a democratic Palestinian state that respects the rule of law and human rights – an unarmed state that lives in security and peace alongside the State of Israel,” he said.
He thanked the 160 countries that have recognized the State of Palestine, urged other countries to follow in his footsteps and called for full membership in the UN.
“We will not leave our homeland. We will not accept refugees. We will not let anyone determine our future in our name,” he said.
