Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Addresses UN General Assembly on Gaza Crisis

Gaza Crisis and Israeli Occupation

• 🇵🇸 President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly, highlighting the ongoing genocidal war, destruction, and starvation in Gaza, which he states has killed over 220,000 Palestinians, including children and the elderly.
• 💔 The speech details the systematic destruction of medical infrastructure, the displacement of over a million people, and a crippling blockade, labeling Israel's actions as a war crime and a crime against humanity.
• 📈 In the West Bank and Jerusalem, the speech condemns the Israeli government's extremist policies and settler-colonial expansion projects, including the annexation plan for the West Bank.

Rejection of Israeli Plans and Settler Violence

• 🚫 Abbas explicitly rejects Israel's Greater Israel plan, which includes expansion into Arab countries, and condemns the attacks on Qatar.
• 🏘️ He denounces the escalating violence by settlers, who, with the protection of the Israeli army, attack villages, civilians, and seize homes.
• 🕌 Religious sites in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, including mosques and churches, have also faced attacks and desecrations, violating the status quo.

Call for Peace and Statehood

• 🕊️ Despite the suffering, Abbas reiterated that Hamas's actions on October 7th do not represent the Palestinian people, and emphasized the goal of building a single Palestinian state with one authority and one army.
• 🌍 He highlighted the ongoing Nakba and the plight of seven million Palestinian refugees, alongside the continued occupation, arrests, and land confiscation in the West Bank and Gaza.
• 📜 Abbas referenced over 1,000 UN resolutions that have not been implemented, underscoring the lack of accountability for the occupation.

Path Forward and International Recognition

• 🤝 The speech recalled the Oslo Accords and the mutual recognition between Palestine and Israel, emphasizing Palestine's commitment to peace and building a modern, democratic state.
• 🌐 Abbas expressed gratitude to countries that have recognized Palestine and called for full UN membership, specifically thanking France, Britain, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Portugal, and others.
• 🇸🇦 He praised Saudi Arabia's role in chairing the summit and supporting efforts for peace and an end to the occupation.

Demands for Immediate Action

• 🛑 The speech outlined critical demands: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid, release of all prisoners, full Israeli withdrawal, an end to settler attacks, and the preservation of Gaza's population.
• 🗳️ It also called for the lifting of financial blockades, support for national elections, and the implementation of a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.
• 🇺🇸 Abbas declared readiness to work with US President Trump, Saudi Arabia, and the UN on a peace plan, stressing that true peace and justice cannot be achieved without ending the occupation.

Vision for a Sovereign Future

• 🌟 The ultimate goal is a sovereign, democratic Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside its neighbors, investing in human development, technology, and education rather than conflict.
• 💪 Abbas concluded with a message of resilience to Palestinians in the diaspora, affirming their unwavering will to live, remain on their land, and achieve freedom and dignity.