Mahmoud Abbas Addresses UN General Assembly on Gaza Crisis and Palestinian Statehood

Devastation in Gaza

• 💔 Mahmoud Abbas describes the ongoing situation in Gaza as a "war of genocide, destruction, starvation, and displacement" waged by Israeli occupation forces.
• 📈 Over 220,000 Palestinians, including a majority of unarmed children, women, and the elderly, have been killed or injured.
• 🏠 More than 80% of homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure have been destroyed, with hundreds of thousands displaced and a stifling siege imposed.

Israeli Actions and International Law Violations

• 🏗️ The extremist Israeli government continues illegal settlement expansion, including the E1 plan, which threatens to divide the West Bank and isolate Jerusalem.
• 🗺️ Abbas condemns the Israeli prime minister's plan for "greater Israel" as a violation of sovereign Arab states.
• 💥 Settler terrorism, including burning homes, uprooting trees, and attacking civilians, is increasing with official support and protection from the Israeli army.
• 🕌 Islamic and Christian religious sites in Jerusalem, Hebron, and Gaza have been attacked, violating the historic status quo and international law.

Rejection of Hamas Actions and Vision for Palestine

• 🚫 Abbas explicitly rejects the actions carried out by Hamas on October 7th, stating they do not represent the Palestinian people or their struggle.
• 🇵🇸 He affirms that Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine and that the Palestinian National Authority is ready to assume governance and security responsibilities.
• ⚖️ Hamas and other factions are called upon to hand over their weapons to the PNA as part of building institutions for one state, one law, and one security force.

Path to Peace and Statehood

• 🕊️ Abbas calls for an immediate and permanent end to the war in Gaza, unconditional humanitarian aid entry, and the release of all hostages and prisoners.
• 🤝 He urges the complete withdrawal of occupation forces, an end to settlement expansion, and the rejection of displacement plans.
• 🌐 The Palestinian National Authority is ready to take full responsibility for governing Gaza temporarily, with Arab and international support, to protect civilians and support Palestinian forces.
• 📈 Abbas reiterates the call for the recognition of the State of Palestine, its full membership in the United Nations, and the release of Palestinian tax money held by Israel.
• 🗓️ He announces plans for presidential and parliamentary elections within a year after the war, with a committee assigned to draft a contemporary constitution.
• 🌍 Abbas expresses readiness to work with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the UN to implement a peace plan leading to a just and regional peace.

Palestinian Rights and Future Aspirations

• ⚖️ Abbas emphasizes that peace cannot be achieved without justice, and justice requires the freedom of Palestine.
• 🌟 He reiterates the desire for an independent, sovereign state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in security and peace with its neighbors.
• ✊ Despite deep wounds and suffering, the Palestinian will to live and survive remains unbroken, with the ultimate goal of freedom and dignity.