Palestinian Authority President Abbas Accuses Israel of Genocide at UN General Assembly

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, addressed the UN General Assembly via video link on Thursday, September 24. In his pre-recorded speech, Abbas accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians and criticized the international community for ignoring what he termed "Zionist crimes." He questioned the prolonged silence of the international community, stating, "The Palestinian people are subjected to annihilation, destruction, starvation, attempts of expulsion, and genocide in Gaza." Abbas also asserted that his inability to speak at the UN in person violated the organization's procedures and called on the United States to lift sanctions and resume dialogue towards a two-state solution.

Abbas highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza resulting from Israeli actions and described the expansion of settlements and "Judaization" in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as accelerating. He argued that Israel's policies, which he claims violate international law, are undermining the two-state solution and threatening the very existence of the Palestinian people. He warned against a repeat of the 1948 Nakba and subsequent massacres, urging the UN to prevent armed groups, allegedly backed by the Israeli army, from burning villages. Abbas questioned how the international community would protect the Palestinian people and ensure the creation of a Palestinian state.

He also referenced UN Resolution 2803 and the establishment of the Gaza Peace Council, calling for the acceleration of the plan's second phase and a clear political perspective. Abbas advocated for the unification of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under the Palestinian Authority's governance. Addressing U.S. President Donald Trump, Abbas urged him to fulfill promises made to Arab nations and prevent the deportation of Palestinians and annexation of Palestinian land. He also demanded the release of over $6 billion in Palestinian funds held by Israel.

Separately, the U.S. State Department denied Abbas an entry visa for the UN General Assembly, marking the second consecutive year he has been unable to attend in person. This follows a similar visa issue for Iran, though President Ebrahim Raisi was eventually granted a visa. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Gaza are central themes at the current UN General Assembly, with Israel facing significant criticism from various world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who called Gaza an "inhumane concentration camp," and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who described Israeli actions in Gaza as "genocide."