Abbas accuses Israel of 'genocide' in UN virtual address, wins prolonged applause
After the U.N. General Assembly voted 145–5 (with six abstentions) to permit a video address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas — who had been among roughly 80 Palestinians whose U.S. visas were revoked, a move the U.N. called a breach of its Host Country Agreement — spoke virtually and accused Israel of "genocide" in Gaza. In the address he demanded full U.N. membership, said the Palestinian Authority was ready to assume governance and security in Gaza if Hamas surrendered its weapons, outlined plans for reforms and future elections, and received a warm, prolonged round of applause.
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📰 Sources (4)
UN gives long round of applause after Palestinian Authority president accuses Israel of 'genocide'
New information:
- World leaders gave Abbas a 'warm and extended' round of applause during his virtual UN General Assembly address.
- Abbas explicitly used the word 'genocide' to describe Israel's actions in Gaza in this speech.
- Abbas stated the Palestinian Authority is 'ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security' in Gaza and said Hamas would have to hand over weapons.
- Abbas demanded 'full membership in the United Nations' during the address and appealed directly to President Donald Trump for help implementing a peace plan.
- Abbas reaffirmed Jerusalem as the 'eternal capital' for Palestinians in the speech.
WATCH LIVE: Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas addresses U.N. General Assembly
New information:
- Israeli strikes in central and southern Gaza on Sept. 25 reportedly killed at least 17 Palestinians, including 10 children and 3 women.
- Specific strikes hit a tent and a house in Zawaida and Deir al-Balah and an apartment building in Khan Younis; Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and Nasser Hospital received the dead and wounded.
- French President Emmanuel Macron said France recognized a Palestinian state to isolate Hamas and said he had lobbied President Trump to press Israel for a ceasefire (quoted/paraphrased).
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced countries recognizing Palestinian statehood and is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly and meet with President Trump; White House and State Department did not respond to Macron's remarks.
Abbas to address UN after visa clash with US as questions swirl over Hamas
New information:
- U.N. General Assembly vote count to permit Abbas to speak: 145–5 (reported here).
- The article quotes Abbas calling on Hamas to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority and saying 'Hamas will have no role in governance.'
- Notes that the U.S. revoked visas and barred entry for about 80 Palestinians and that the State Department had not yet said whether it supports re‑implementing the PA in Gaza.
- Summarizes the PA's reform agenda cited by Abbas, including plans for financial and school-curriculum reforms and a pledge to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within one year of the war's end.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address U.N. meeting virtually after U.S. revoked visa
New information:
- UNGA vote: 145–5 (6 abstentions) to permit a video speech by Abbas.
- U.S. State Department revoked visas for ~80 Palestinian officials last month, including Abbas.
- U.N. calls the revocations a breach of the Host Country Agreement; France and the U.K. pressed the U.S. to reconsider.