Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas garnered a robust and sustained ovation from global dignitaries at the United Nations General Assembly during a address in which he denounced Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, affirmed his party’s readiness to assume control of security and governance in the Gaza Strip — and appealed to the President for peace.
Following the recognition of a Palestinian state by several European nations over the past week, Abbas formally sought “full membership in the United Nations.”
“It should be noted that we have already recognized Israel’s right to exist in 1988 and in 1993,” Abbas stated on Thursday in a virtual address. “And we still recognize this right.”
The PA leader delivered his speech remotely after the State Department denied his visa request to travel to the New York headquarters, citing alleged support for terrorism.
Abbas declared his political party is “ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security” of the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Authority currently oversees portions of the West Bank under the Oslo Accords, though its authority is limited. While it officially claims Gaza as part of Palestinian territories, it has not held control there since 2007, with Hamas remaining the de facto authority.
Abbas asserted that under PA governance, “Hamas would not have control.” He indicated that Hamas would be required to relinquish its weapons to the PA and firmly stated his unwillingness to govern an “armed state.”
“We want a modern civilian state that is free of violence, weapons and extremism, one that respects law, human rights and invests in people, development, technology and education — not in wars and conflict.”
Concurrently, Abbas proclaimed Jerusalem to be the “eternal capital” for Palestinians.
The president declared, “The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies as a symbol of dignity, steadfastness and being free from the yoke of occupation. Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands.”
His comments came after President Trump presented a 21-point peace proposal to Arab leaders earlier this week, aimed at achieving peace in Gaza.
Separately, the U.N. General Assembly approved a plan to implement a two-state solution to conclude the conflict.
He affirmed, “We are ready to work with U.S. President Donald Trump and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, the United Nations and all partners to implement the peace plan.”
He condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposals for what Abbas termed a “Greater Israel.”
“The Israeli Prime Minister announced a plan for what he calls Greater Israel, which we reject and completely deplore.”
Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the Palestinian leader’s address.
The Palestinian leader’s remarks coincided with Israel’s intensified offensive into Gaza City and its announcement that the option to annex the West Bank is under consideration.
Abbas denounced settler violence in the West Bank, which he claimed has escalated as Israeli military forces have entered the area.
He elaborated, “The terrorism of settlers increases. They burn homes and fields, they uproot trees and attack villages and attack unarmed Palestinian civilians. In fact, they killed them in broad daylight under the protection of the Israeli occupation army.”
While accusing Israel of orchestrating “genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement,” he stated that the PA rejects the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
He asserted, “These actions do not represent the Palestinian people, nor do they represent their just struggle for freedom and independence.”
Abbas further emphasized their rejection of conflating “the and the issue of antisemitism,” affirming that this stance is rooted in their values and principles.
The president highlighted the perceived ineffectiveness of the U.N., noting its frequent passage of condemnatory resolutions against Israeli actions that have no practical impact, and expressed frustration that international peace negotiations have not resolved the conflict in Gaza.
He lamented, “More than 1,000 resolutions at the United Nations. Not one of them was implemented. There have been many efforts and many international initiatives without reaching an end to this tragic situation. The Palestinian people are living under the yoke of occupation.”