President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his appeal for the State of
Palestine to become a full-fledged member of the UN, and warned
of waning peace prospects with Israel, in his speech to the
General Assembly on Friday.
“Palestine, the Observer State in this Organization for 10 years
now has proved that it qualifies for full membership. You have
all recognized this,” he said, citing contributions that include
chairing the G-77 and China developing country coalition.
“We are the exception. We are the only ones in the world on whom
double standards are being applied.”
Killings, looting, demolitions
President Abbas began his remarks by outlining how Palestinians
have suffered under decades of Israeli occupation.
“Israel is giving total freedom to the army and to the terrorist
settlers who are killing the Palestinian people in broad
daylight, looting their land and their water, burning and
demolishing their homes, compelling them to pay for the
demolition, or forcing them to destroy their homes with their own
hands, and uproot their trees,” he said, speaking through an
interpreter.
He also addressed the killing of Palestinian-American journalist
Shireen Abu Akleh, among other incidents.
The Al Jazeera correspondent was shot in May
while on assignment in the West Bank. He said Israel acknowledged
that she had been killed by a sniper.
“I dare the United States to prosecute those who have killed this
American national. Why? because they are Israelis,” he told
world leaders.
Trust ‘unfortunately regressing’
Regarding peace prospects, Mr. Abbas stated that “our trust and
the possibility of achieving peace based on justice and
international law is unfortunately regressing.”
He said Israel is ignoring international resolutions and
undermining agreements and is no longer a partner in the peace
process.
“It has and still is, through its current policies, which are
premeditated and deliberate, destroying the two-State solution.
This proves unequivocally that Israel does not believe in peace.
It believes in imposing status quo by force
and by aggression.”
He called for the UN Secretary-General to elaborate an
international plan to end the occupation in order to achieve
peace, security and stability in the region, in line with
international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
‘A positive development’
Mr. Abbas noted that during their speeches to the General
Assembly, United States President Joseph Biden and Israeli Prime
Minister Yair Lapid, along with other world leaders, voiced
support for the two-State solution
“This is of course, a positive development,” he said, though
adding that the “real test to the seriousness and credibility of
this stance” will be for Israel to immediately return to the
negotiating table.
“The State of Palestine is looking forward to peace,” he said.
“Let us make this peace to live in security, stability and
prosperity for the benefit of our generations and all the people
of the region.”
