Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General Assembly – What he said about Israeli settlements, the US visa ban and the election | Today’s news
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas used his speech at the 81st UN General Assembly on Thursday (September 24th) to warn that Israeli policies threaten not only the prospect of a two-state solution, but also the continued presence of Palestinians in their territory.
Abbas delivered the speech via pre-recorded video from Ramallah after the United States denied him a visa to attend the United Nations assembly in New York. The UN General Assembly has previously approved a mechanism that allows it to address the assembly virtually.
Here are the key takeaways from Abbas’ address to the UN General Assembly:
1. Israeli policy threatens the existence of Palestinians
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Mahmoud Abbas warned that Israeli policy threatens not only the prospects for a two-state solution, but the very existence of Palestinians in their homeland, citing settlement expansion as a key factor.
Abbas gave his UN speech virtually because the United States denied him a visa to attend the New York rally.
Abbas criticized the US for denying the visa, calling it an illegal punitive measure and rejecting the justification provided by Washington.
Abbas called on the US to lift restrictions, resume dialogue with the Palestinian leadership and support efforts to establish a two-state solution.
Abbas emphasized that while 160 countries have recognized Palestine, more countries should do so, tying recognition to the preservation of Palestinian territory necessary for statehood.
Abbas said the danger facing Palestinians went beyond undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
“The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the realization of a Palestinian state. It now threatens the very life and existence of the Palestinian people in their homeland.”
He warned that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is fragmenting Palestinian territory.
2. Abbas condemns US visa denial
Abbas criticized Washington for denying him a visa to attend the UN General Assembly, calling the measures “illegal repressive measures”.
“We reject these illegal punitive measures, as well as the allegations and justifications on which they were based.”
The US has previously cited Palestinian efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and actions involving international tribunals as reasons for visa restrictions on Abbas and other Palestinian officials.
3. Urge the US to resume dialogue
Abbas called on Washington to lift the measures, resume dialogue with the Palestinian leadership and support international efforts to establish a two-state solution.
His call comes as the US continues to play a central role in trying to shape a future political arrangement involving Israel and the Palestinians.
4. Warning against settlements in the West Bank
Abbas accused Israel of using settlement expansion to fragment Palestinian territory.
He said the aim of the expansion was to separate the northern part of the West Bank from the south and isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
“This requires urgent and responsible action by the UN Security Council.”
The UN secretary-general also warned that settlement expansion and violence in the occupied West Bank were undermining the prospect of a viable Palestinian state.
Read also | Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly: “Cut Putin’s money. Curb his war – key things
5. calls for Palestine to be recognized by more countries
Abbas said 160 countries have recognized the State of Palestine and called on other countries to follow suit.
He argued that international recognition should be accompanied by a measure to preserve the territory on which a Palestinian state would be founded.
“Saving a solution starts with preserving the land on which a Palestinian state is to be established and protecting the people who live on it.”
6. Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem are connected
Abbas said developments in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem should not be seen as separate issues.
“What is happening in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem are not isolated incidents…”
7. Palestinians are preparing for elections
Abbas announced that the Palestinians were heading for legislative elections on November 28, followed by the restoration of the institutions of the Palestinian National Council and ultimately presidential elections.
He said: “We have completed the national reform program to which we committed ourselves before our people and the international community.”
The planned November vote would be the first Palestinian legislative elections in two decades.
Read also | Netanyahu’s UN General Assembly speech – “Easiest decision” to attack Iran, Gaza’s “biggest lie”
