Palestinian existence under threat, Abbas tells UN, warning of ‘another Nakba’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that Israeli policies now endanger the very existence of Palestinians in their homeland, urging the world not to allow 'another Nakba.' He condemned the denial of visas for his delegation to enter the US, calling it unlawful and a breach of host country obligations, and demanded the US reverse such measures. Abbas described escalating violence in Gaza, including killings and starvation, and accelerating settlement expansion in the West Bank, alongside increased settler terrorism and land theft in East Jerusalem.

Abbas framed events in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as part of a coordinated plan to force Palestinians from their land, asking how long states would remain silent or supply weapons used against Palestinians. He referenced the 20-point Trump plan and Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorsed the plan, but noted no implementation had occurred on the ground.

With a 2027 deadline approaching for a transitional period, Abbas called for immediate implementation of the second phase to reunify Gaza and the West Bank under a single Palestinian state with unified governance. He warned against the Israeli E1 Settlement Plan, which he said would sever East Jerusalem from Palestine, and reiterated calls for Israel to halt settlement activity per Security Council Resolution 2334.

Abbas demanded the release of over $6 billion in Palestinian funds withheld by Israel and reaffirmed support for UNRWA, stating there is no alternative to the agency while the refugee question remains unresolved. He also highlighted upcoming Palestinian elections, reforms in public finance and education, and renewed calls for full UN membership and recognition of the State of Palestine by all states.