Israeli policies threaten ‘life and existence’ of Palestinians, says Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking from a pre-recorded video message at the UN General Assembly, warned that Israeli policies are now a direct threat to the "life and existence" of Palestinians in their homeland. The US denied him a visa, leading Abbas to deliver his remarks via video. Abbas accused Israel of a colonial scheme to make the lives of Palestinians difficult and prevent the establishment of a geographically continuous Palestinian state.

The current situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem is not isolated but part of a malicious scheme. Israel's expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank aims to separate the northern section from the south and isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings. Abbas called for urgent intervention from the UN Security Council to address the crisis.

The UN Trade and Development warned of Gaza's worst economic crisis ever, following an Israeli military offensive in October 2023. In the West Bank, violence by extremist settlers has surged, leading to economic sanctions from Britain, France, and Canada. Abbas pledged to hold legislative and presidential elections on a fixed timetable, despite concerns about logistical difficulties in delivering voting materials to Gaza and securing Israeli visas for international observers in the West Bank.