Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced the U.S. for denying visas to his delegation, claiming Washington failed to fulfil its obligations as a host country for the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking in a pre-recorded video, Mr Abbas advocated for the protection of Palestinians whose existence, he said, was being threatened by a “war of genocide”.
He claimed the attacks in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem “are not separate events” but “part of a malicious colonial plan” orchestrated to displace Palestinians into seeking refuge elsewhere.
“For how long will some states continue to remain silent about Israel, or supply it with the weapons it uses against our people?” said Mr Abbas.
He called for the reunification of East Jerusalem,the West Bank and East Jerusalem, under “one state, one government, one law and a single legitimate authority over arms”.
The Palestinian leader reiterated his demand for a sovereign Palestine that can co-exist peacefully with Israel and become a full member of the United Nations.
“We want a democratic Palestinian state that respects the rule of law and human rights—an unarmed state living in security and peace alongside the State of Israel,” he said. “We will not leave our homeland. We will not accept displacement. We will not allow anyone to decide our future on our behalf.”
