Speaking via video to the U.N. General Assembly, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas stated his people’s rejection of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and asserted Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza post-war, requiring the group to surrender its weapons. Abbas condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as a war crime, while also thanking world leaders who have stood up for Palestinians. He welcomed recent recognition of a Palestinian state but emphasized the need for further action, calling for the international community to ensure Palestinians obtain their rights. Abbas also reiterated his vision for a two-state solution, despite it appearing more distant amid Israel’s rejection of a Palestinian state.
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The US State Department has revoked visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials, preventing their attendance at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. This decision, which the US attributes to undermining peace efforts, has been welcomed by Israel but condemned by Palestinian officials who view it as a violation of international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement. Despite the ban, Palestinian representatives at the UN mission in New York may still attend meetings. This move comes amidst international efforts, led by France, to recognize a state of Palestine, a move opposed by the current US administration.
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In a letter to Presidents Macron and bin Salman, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas demanded Hamas immediately relinquish its weapons and military capabilities to Palestinian security forces, ending its rule over Gaza. He further insisted on the immediate release of all hostages. This disarmament, overseen by Palestinian forces with international support, is a precondition for the possible French recognition of a Palestinian state, a topic of a forthcoming U.N. conference. The proposal is likely to face skepticism from Israel and the U.S.
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In a strongly worded address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas’s hostage-taking, referring to the group with a deeply offensive term. He warned of a potential catastrophic outcome, likening it to the 1948 Nakba, and asserted that Hamas’s actions have provided Israel with justification for a devastating response against Gaza. Abbas directly appealed to Hamas to immediately release all Israeli hostages. The situation, according to Abbas, poses an existential threat to the Palestinian people.
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The news of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh’s resignation has sparked a flurry of speculation and discussion about the potential implications for the Palestinian Authority and the region as a whole. The move comes at a critical juncture, with the possibility of US-backed reforms on the horizon and the need for revitalization within the Palestinian leadership. President Mahmoud Abbas now faces the decision of whether to accept the resignation, a decision that could pave the way for significant changes within the Palestinian government.
One of the key questions that arises from Shtayyeh’s resignation is the role and influence of the Palestinian Prime Minister.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker