The President of Palestine defies Trump's veto before the UN and cries out against genocide: "We will not abandon our homeland"

The President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, appeared this Thursday before the United Nations General Assembly from a screen. Donald Trump's Administration has prevented him from traveling to New York for the second consecutive year, but his intervention brought to the main global diplomatic forum a strong denunciation against the genocide in Gaza, the occupation of the West Bank, and attempts to displace the Palestinian people.

Abbas called the US decision "illegitimate and punitive" and rejected that Palestinian leaders be punished for going to the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, or the International Criminal Court. The General Assembly had to approve by 152 votes in favor, three against, and four abstentions that he could participate through a recorded message. The United States has justified the restrictions due to Palestinian attempts to bring the conflict before international bodies and courts.

The measure has also once again put Washington's role as host country of the UN under pressure. The agreement regulating the UN headquarters generally obliges to facilitate the entry of foreign delegations, although the United States claims the ability to impose restrictions for security or foreign policy reasons.

A threat against Palestinian existence

The Palestinian leader described what is happening in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as a "genocidal war" and accused Benjamin Netanyahu's Government of promoting a "malign colonial plan" to make life impossible for Palestinians and force their departure. "The danger has reached the point of threatening the very life and existence of the Palestinian people in their homeland," he warned.

Abbas has asked the international community to prevent a new Nakba, the massive displacement of around 750,000 Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. He also denounced the expansion of settlements, home demolitions, and the violence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, where he assured that families are attacked inside their own homes under the protection of the occupation forces.

The accusation of genocide already has significant backing within the United Nations system. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza and has maintained this year that Israeli authorities and forces continue to perpetrate this crime and other atrocities, especially against Palestinian children. The final judicial decision rests with the International Court of Justice, while the Netanyahu government rejects this classification and presents its offensive as a campaign against Hamas.

The Palestinian president has also pointed to the Israeli E1 settlement plan, which would break the territorial continuity of the West Bank, and has accused Israel of withholding more than 6 billion dollars belonging to the Palestinian people. In his view, the sum of settlements, annexations, and displacements threatens to definitively close off the possibility of building a viable state.

Trump's plan still not on the ground

Abbas recalled that the Palestinian Authority welcomed the 20-point plan promoted by Trump and the roadmap of the so-called Peace Board. Almost a year later, he denounced that the second phase remains blocked, Israeli troops remain in Gaza, and reconstruction is still pending. "Unfortunately, none of this has materialized on the ground," he lamented.

The leader demanded that Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem be reunified under a single state, one government, and one law, with a single legitimate authority to bear arms. His proposal involves a democratic and demilitarized Palestinian state coexisting with Israel, accompanied by legislative elections and a reform of Palestinian institutions.

Abbas also urged countries that still have their recognition pending to take the step and asked that Palestine be able to become a full member of the United Nations. Towards the end of his intervention, he addressed a message to those who promote the displacement of the Palestinian population. "We will not accept resettlement. We will not abandon our homeland and we will not allow anyone to decide our future on our behalf."