During the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Israel has also committed genocide against the Lebanese people. Asserting that “Israel does not deserve to be at the United Nations,” Abbas referenced Turkish activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli soldiers, by saying, “The Palestinian people will not forget the courage shown by Ayşenur Hanım, who was martyred by the Israeli occupation army.”

Addressing the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, Abbas discussed the events in Gaza, crimes committed by Israel, the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on July 19, as well as the resolution passed by the UN General Assembly, the support given to Palestine by people worldwide, and the demands of the Palestinian leadership regarding post-war conditions in Gaza. Abbas began his speech by highlighting that 75% of Gaza has been destroyed and rendered unrecognizable, with thousands of people killed. He emphasized the need to cease the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, including the killing of children and women, genocide, and the supply of weapons to Israel. Abbas reiterated the Palestinian position that the conditions for a two-state solution must be negotiated at the table, but Israel initiated genocide in Gaza instead of heeding reason, continuing to commit war crimes before the international community. Commenting on the Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s call to build a synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Abbas reiterated that Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings belong to Muslims, as established by the League of Nations in 1930, and they will not accept anything different under any circumstances. Abbas warned that they had previously warned many times that the occupied state of Palestine was reaching a breaking point, and the explosion occurred on October 7, emphasizing the need to sit at the negotiation table on the basis of a two-state solution, but Israel began a genocide in Gaza instead of listening to reason, still committing war crimes before the international community. Abbas also spoke about Israel’s attacks on the Lebanese people, indicating that the Israeli government was committing genocide against the Lebanese population, and calling for Israel to stop the war in Palestine and Lebanon.

PRAISE FOR THE SUPPORT TO PALESTINE
President Abbas commended the countries that supported the resolution calling for Israel to end its presence in the occupied territories within 12 months, based on the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on July 19. Thanking the activists supporting Palestine, Abbas expressed gratitude for those around the world, including the United States and Western countries, organizing demonstrations in support of Palestine. He also expressed gratitude to the activists who risked their lives to support Palestine, specifically remembering Turkish-American citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi. Abbas reassured that the Palestinian people will not forget the courage shown by Ayşenur Hanım, who was martyred by the Israeli occupation army.

THE DAY AFTER THE WAR IN GAZA
Sharing insights on the Palestinian administration’s stance regarding the post-war conditions in Gaza, Abbas stated, “The day after the war, Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem must witness the complete cessation of attacks by occupying Israelis, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, no establishment of a buffer zone in Gaza, no displacement of the people, the return of the displaced to their homes, the urgent and regular entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the protection of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and humanitarian organizations, the provision of international protection to Palestinians, full authority of the Palestinian administration in Gaza and at border crossings, the reconstruction of Gaza, international support for Palestine to become a full member of the UN, and the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution calling for the end of the occupation within 12 months.” Speaking from the UN podium to the world, Abbas called on the UN to pass a resolution and exert pressure on Israel to allow them to go to Gaza. Abbas also expressed their willingness to welcome anyone who wants to join them on the journey to Gaza.