In a remote address to the UN General Assembly yesterday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas described Israel’s military operation in Gaza as “genocide” and rejected any notion that Palestinians might abandon their land.
Speaking via video from Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Abbas appeared after the U.S. denied visas to him and his delegation to attend the meeting in New York.
He said that no matter how much Palestinians suffer, they will remain in Gaza and rebuild their homeland. “It will not break our will to survive,” he declared, stressing: “Palestine is ours“.
Donald Trump has reportedly told Arab and Muslim leaders that he will not allow Israel to annex parts of the West Bank.
Abbas stated that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to take over governance of Gaza after the war, making clear that Hamas will play no role in any future government.
His speech came just days after France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Belgium recognized the State of Palestine, joining around 150 other countries that have already done so. Israeli officials have suggested that their government may annex at least part of the West Bank in retaliation for these recognitions.
Earlier this week, Donald Trump assured Arab and Muslim leaders that he would not allow Israel to annex any part of the West Bank. However, according to The New York Times, Trump often avoids confrontation in private discussions, only to later shift his stance.