By Web Desk
TWA
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In a keynote speech today before the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Mahmoud Abbas demanded the suspension of Israel’s membership until it meets its obligations under international law.
President Abbas called for the full implementation of the International Court of Justice’s ruling regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, urging that the occupation be ended within twelve months.
He stressed the urgency of establishing a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, while also demanding a cessation of the ongoing Israeli military attacks and settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
He further called for expediting the entry of relief aid in sufficient quantities and without conditions, and its delivery to all areas of the Gaza Strip, affirming that the State of Palestine will exercise its full sovereignty over the Gaza Strip and will undertake its reconstruction after the war comes to an end.
President Abbas also called for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the rejection of the establishment of buffer zones or the annexation of any part of its lands, and the cessation of forced displacement procedures inside or outside the Gaza Strip, and the return of the displaced to their areas of residence and the provision of shelter for them.
“The world bears responsibility for the situation of our people in Gaza and the West Bank,” the President stated, noting the daily aggression faced by Palestinians and the ongoing settlement expansion supported by the Israeli government.
He condemned Israel’s actions as a form of collective punishment and called for immediate international accountability for the atrocities committed.
In his speech, President Abbas urged the UN General Assembly to support a resolution that would enable the Palestinian leadership to enter Gaza, facilitating the cessation of hostilities and initiating reconstruction efforts. The President welcomed international allies to witness the situation in Gaza firsthand and contribute to the peace process.
Expressing gratitude to UN member states for their support of Palestinian rights, he reiterated the determination of the Palestinian people to persevere in their struggle for independence. “We will not leave; Palestine is our homeland and the land of our ancestors,” he declared, emphasizing that the fight for freedom will continue until liberation is achieved.
