Palestinian leadership condemns Gaza war/ Abbas criticizes Israeli offensive/ Gaza conflict denounced by Palestinian Authority/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ UNITED NATIONS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel’s military offensive in Gaza at the UN General Assembly, calling it a “genocidal war.” He reaffirmed the Palestinian right to their homeland, emphasizing, “We will not leave.” Abbas also urged for post-war governance of Gaza by his government, although Israel rejects this proposal due to lack of trust in his leadership.
Mahmoud Abbas’ Gaza Condemnation: Quick Looks
- UN speech: Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly, denouncing Israel’s offensive in Gaza as a “genocidal war.”
- Repeated vow: He declared, “We will not leave,” emphasizing the Palestinian right to remain in their homeland.
- Call for governance: Abbas called for his government to govern Gaza post-conflict, a stance rejected by Israel.
- Limited Gaza influence: Abbas has not had control in Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007, further complicating peace efforts.
- Israel’s stance: Israel defends its actions as necessary for self-defense amid ongoing conflict, rejecting the claims of genocide.
Palestinian Leader at UN: Gaza Offensive is ‘Genocidal War’
Deep Look
On Thursday, at the United Nations General Assembly, Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, delivered a powerful denunciation of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. Addressing world leaders, Abbas accused Israel of waging a “genocidal war” that had left the territory completely destroyed and its people in an increasingly desperate state.
This marked the first time Abbas has taken to the global stage to speak on the conflict since the attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which prompted a large-scale military offensive by Israel in Gaza. While Abbas is known for using his U.N. platform to criticize Israel, this address came in the wake of a devastating military campaign that has left the Gaza Strip in ruin, highlighting the ongoing suffering in the occupied territory.
Abbas made a forceful entrance to the podium, greeted with applause and several unintelligible shouts from the assembly. His opening statement, “We will not leave,” was repeated three times for emphasis. The declaration underlined his message of defiance, symbolizing the Palestinian determination to resist Israeli occupation despite the dire situation on the ground.
In his speech, Abbas condemned Israel for making Gaza “unlivable” and insisted that after the conflict, his government, the Palestinian Authority, should assume control over Gaza as part of an independent Palestinian state. This vision, however, runs counter to the position of Israel’s current hardline government, which views the Palestinian Authority as an unreliable partner, particularly in light of the internal divisions between Palestinian factions.
Since 2007, when Hamas ousted Abbas’ forces from Gaza in a violent takeover, his government has had little to no influence in the region. Despite this, Abbas and some international leaders, including the United States, continue to support the idea of the Palestinian Authority playing a future role in Gaza, especially in the context of a two-state solution. Yet Israel, which has carried out significant military operations to neutralize what it sees as threats from Gaza, remains skeptical of such arrangements.
Abbas’ comments during the speech were grounded in a historical narrative that emphasized the longstanding connection between Palestinians and the land. “Palestine is our homeland. It is the land of our fathers and our grandfathers. It will remain ours. And if anyone were to leave, it would be the occupying usurpers,” Abbas declared, doubling down on the Palestinian commitment to their territory despite Israeli control and expansion.
The Israeli government, on the other hand, has defended its military operations as necessary measures of self-defense, particularly in response to the actions of Hamas, which is labeled as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and several other nations. Israel’s leadership has rejected accusations of genocide, with officials asserting that their actions are legitimate under international law.
Meanwhile, South Africa has initiated legal action by filing a genocide case against Israel in the U.N.’s International Court of Justice. The legal challenge adds to the growing international outcry, but Israel remains firm in its position that it is acting in self-defense and not engaging in actions that meet the legal definition of genocide.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to draw global attention, Abbas’ appearance at the U.N. General Assembly serves as a reminder of the enduring complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. His speech highlighted not just the destruction wrought by the latest conflict but also the broader political and territorial struggles that have defined the region for decades. While the road to peace remains uncertain, Abbas’ defiant stance at the United Nations signals the Palestinian Authority’s intent to remain at the forefront of the international debate over Gaza’s future.
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