Abbas warns of new Nakba, urges global intervention at UN
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking via prerecorded video after a US visa denial, told the UN that Palestinians face one of the most dangerous periods in their history. He accused Israel of targeting all basic necessities of life and called on the international community to stop supplying weapons to Israel. Abbas reiterated his support for a two-state solution and vowed Palestinians will remain on their land.
Abbas, 90 years old, has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005, though his domestic standing has eroded amid corruption allegations and expanding Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. The Authority, established through 1990s peace accords, administers semiautonomous West Bank areas and depends heavily on foreign financial support. During the Gaza war, Abbas and his government have been largely excluded from negotiations, with international attention focused on a transition plan overseen by Trump's Board of Peace. Abbas insisted Gaza cannot remain permanently separated from the West Bank and East Jerusalem, calling for unified governance under a single legitimate authority.
This speech could further strain already tense US-Palestinian relations, particularly with the second consecutive visa denial signaling diplomatic marginalization. The broader international community may face renewed pressure to reassess arms sales to Israel, potentially affecting defense trade relationships. Regional stability could be influenced if Abbas's warnings resonate with Palestinian populations, possibly fueling unrest in the West Bank. The declining relevance of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza negotiations may accelerate questions about its long-term viability as a governing institution.