Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a powerful speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking his first address after Palestine was granted a seat among member states. In his speech, Abbas emphasised that the suffering endured by the Palestinian people was a collective responsibility of the global community. “The world is responsible for what has happened to our people,” he declared, drawing attention to the ongoing plight of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
Opening his address with the statement, “Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to the Muslims,” Abbas reaffirmed the significance of Palestinian lands, describing them as “the homeland of our forefathers and ancestors.” He passionately asserted, “Palestine is our land, and it will remain ours. We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.” His repetition of this phrase underscored the deep-rooted commitment of the Palestinian people to their homeland, signalling that their resolve to resist any attempts to displace them remains unwavering.
Abbas strongly criticised the United States for its role in perpetuating the conflict. He stated, “The U.S. stood alone and said, ‘No, the war will continue’,” highlighting America’s use of its veto power to block efforts aimed at ending the violence. Abbas accused the U.S. of enabling Israel to continue its aggressive military campaigns against the Palestinian people, supplying the weapons used in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children. “As long as the U.S. supports them, why should Israel stop?” he questioned, arguing that American backing has emboldened Israel’s actions.
The Palestinian leader further noted that the United States remains the only country in the UN Security Council to oppose Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations. By casting its veto, the U.S. has effectively prevented Palestine from achieving full international recognition, a move that Abbas condemned as unjust. “In the eyes of America, we do not deserve membership, and so they use their veto against us,” he remarked, questioning how the U.S. could persist in its opposition to Palestinian aspirations.
In his speech, Abbas directly addressed the human rights violations committed by Israeli forces, singling out the tragic case of Ayshe Nur, a Palestinian woman who was killed by Israeli troops. He promised that the Palestinian people would never forget the atrocities committed against them, and he called on the international community to hold Israel accountable. “The Palestinian people will never forget the stance of those like Ayshe Nur, who stood firm against Israeli oppression,” Abbas said.
As Abbas concluded his address, his message was clear: the continued suffering of the Palestinian people is not just the result of Israeli aggression but also of the inaction and complicity of powerful nations like the U.S. His appeal for justice resonated deeply, with calls for the international community to finally take meaningful steps toward ending the occupation and supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.
This speech comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where peace efforts have repeatedly stalled. Abbas’s impassioned words served as a reminder that the plight of the Palestinian people remains an unresolved issue that requires urgent attention from the world. His criticism of American policy raises important questions about the role of global powers in the region and whether they will continue to support the status quo or push for a fair and lasting solution.
