Israel’s policies threaten ‘very existence’ of Palestinians, Abbas tells UN

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a stark warning to the United Nations on September 22, 2023, asserting that current Israeli policies pose a direct threat to the "very existence" of the Palestinian people. Speaking during the high-level debate of the UN General Assembly's 78th session, Abbas emphasized that the preservation of the two-state solution, a long-standing framework for peace, is inextricably linked to safeguarding Palestinian land and protecting those who reside on it. He implored the international community to intervene decisively to uphold international law and numerous UN resolutions, which he contends Israel is systematically violating.

Abbas specifically cited the continuous expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as a primary driver of this threat. These settlements, deemed illegal under international law by the UN, fragment Palestinian territory and hinder the possibility of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state. He also highlighted the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has led to a severe humanitarian crisis and restricted the movement of people and goods, and the increasing instances of violence against Palestinians, often perpetrated by settlers or Israeli forces. These actions, he argued, not only undermine Palestinian aspirations for self-determination and statehood but also contribute to regional instability, making a peaceful resolution increasingly elusive.

The Palestinian leader reiterated his unwavering commitment to a peaceful resolution predicated on international law and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, a vision supported by numerous UN resolutions. However, he issued a grave warning: without immediate and concrete international intervention, the prospects for achieving such a resolution are rapidly diminishing. Abbas also voiced criticism regarding the international community's perceived inaction and the application of double standards in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging for a more robust, equitable, and consistent approach. He stressed that the international community bears a moral and legal obligation to ensure that the rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people are not further imperiled.

Abbas's address was a clear attempt to galvanize global support for Palestinian rights and to exert pressure on Israel to cease policies he characterized as amounting to ethnic cleansing and apartheid. He concluded his remarks by stating that the path to lasting peace necessitates an end to the occupation and the full implementation of UN resolutions, thereby ensuring that Palestinians can live with dignity and security in their own sovereign state. The speech underscored the critical juncture the conflict has reached, with the viability of a two-state solution increasingly in doubt due to ongoing Israeli actions.