FULL TEXT: President Mahmoud Abbas Addresses United Nations, Calls for Peace and Palestinian Statehood

FULL TEXT: President Mahmoud Abbas Addresses United Nations, Calls for Peace and Palestinian Statehood.

In a compelling and passionate address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas highlighted the urgent need for a Palestinian state and the challenges posed by the Israeli occupation. Speaking on September 21, 2023, Abbas emphasized that achieving peace in the Middle East is impossible without recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people.

Abbas began his speech by stressing that peace in the Middle East is contingent upon recognizing the full, legitimate, and national rights of the Palestinian people. He reminded the world of the ongoing tragedy stemming from the Nakba, a catastrophic event that occurred 75 years ago, and how its effects persist due to the Israeli occupation.

The Nakba, he noted, continues to be exacerbated by the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, which has defied over 1,000 UN resolutions. Abbas strongly condemned the occupation, highlighting its violation of international law and its relentless efforts to alter historical, geographical, and demographic realities in the region, reinforcing apartheid.

Despite the harsh reality Palestinians face and the abandonment of the Oslo Accords by Israel, Abbas expressed hope that the UN and the international community would implement resolutions calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders. He also stressed the importance of addressing the issue of Palestinian refugees in accordance with international legitimacy.

Abbas didn’t shy away from criticizing the Israeli government for its actions, including withholding the bodies of 600 Palestinian martyrs. He questioned the impunity with which Israel acted while committing such actions and emphasized the need for accountability.

The Palestinian leader also raised concerns about Israel’s treatment of Jerusalem and its holy sites, particularly the Aqsa Mosque. He warned against turning the political conflict into a religious one and called on the international community to protect Jerusalem’s historic and legal status.

Abbas questioned the lack of accountability for Israel, its violations of international law, and the absence of sanctions despite numerous UN resolutions condemning its actions. He called for acknowledgment, an apology, reparations, and compensation in line with international law.

Addressing the stalled peace process, Abbas called for an international peace conference to be convened with the involvement of all concerned parties. He urged the UN and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take the necessary steps to make this conference a reality, emphasizing its significance in preserving the two-state solution and regional stability.

Abbas also requested protection for the Palestinian people from the constant aggressions of the Israeli army and settlers. He called on states to take practical steps based on international resolutions to support Palestinian rights and recognize the state of Palestine. He questioned the reluctance of some countries to recognize Palestine despite supporting the two-state solution.

The Palestinian leader underlined Israel’s failure to adhere to the conditions of its United Nations membership, such as implementing Resolutions 181 and 194, and called on the UN to take deterrent measures against Israel.

Abbas reiterated the Palestinian commitment to peaceful, popular resistance against the occupation and expressed gratitude for international support. He highlighted the challenges Palestinians face, including restrictions on accessing natural resources and the withholding of their money by the occupying power.

Regarding elections, Abbas explained the obstacles posed by Israel in conducting them, especially in East Jerusalem. He renewed the call for international bodies to hold Israel accountable for these obstructions.

Abbas concluded by calling for the criminalization of Nakba denial and the establishment of an international day to commemorate the Nakba’s anniversary. He thanked those around the world who have come to understand and support the Palestinian narrative.

In closing, Abbas reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s unwavering commitment to their land and their rights, emphasizing that the occupier should leave, not the people who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. He urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and implement UN resolutions to realize Palestinian rights and bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.