Israel’s policies threaten ‘very existence’ of Palestinians, Abbas tells UN
Mahmoud Abbas says saving two-state solution begins with preserving Palestinian land, protecting those who live on it.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has warned the United Nations General Assembly that Israel’s policies go beyond undermining a two-state solution and now threaten the “very life and existence” of Palestinians.
Abbas’s prerecorded remarks from his office in Ramallah were broadcast before the assembly on Thursday after the United States denied visas to a Palestinian delegation to attend the gathering for the second year in a row.
Abbas said Palestinians were living through one of the “most dangerous periods” of their history, citing “killing, destruction, starvation, attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war that has created an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe”.
Domestically, Abbas said, the Palestinian Authority plans to hold legislative elections on November 28, the first such vote in 20 years, despite doubts it will go ahead.