New York, Sept 27, (dpa/GNA) – A Palestinian state can peacefully exist alongside Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday, as he addressed the UN General Assembly via video link on the third day of the General Debate in New York.
“We want to live in freedom, security, and peace like all other peoples of the earth—in an independent, sovereign state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace with our neighbors,” said Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank.
He gave his address via video, as the US administration denied him a visa to attend the high-level UN gathering of world leaders.
Speech comes as support for Palestinian state grows
His address came just days after a spate of Western countries recognized a Palestinian state, in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza City.
In his speech, the Palestinian president, who will be 90 in November, accused Israel of genocide and war crimes in the Gaza Strip, and criticized Israel’s settlement construction in the West Bank, as well as violence against civilians.
He also warned against the expulsion of the population from Gaza.
Abbas thanked protesters worldwide for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, but warned that support for a Palestinian state should not be confused with anti-Semitism.
“We reject any conflation between solidarity with Palestine and antisemitism,” he said.
Abbas also called for the release of all remaining hostages from the October 7, 2023 attacks and of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The veteran politician said his PA is ready to assume leadership of the Gaza Strip, and insisted that the Islamist group Hamas would play “no role” in government.
European Council President António Costa and the prime ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy ,were also due to address the General Assembly on Thursday.
The debate is scheduled to continue until Monday, with a break on Sunday.
A total of around 150 heads of state and government, as well as other national representatives, are expected to deliver speeches at the event.
The Middle East conflict, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the UN’s challenging financial situation and the global political role of the United States, are the key topics.
Germany is being represented by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
GNA